0%

genteel

gen·teel
G g

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [jen-teel]
    • /dʒɛnˈtil/
    • /dʒenˈtiːl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [jen-teel]
    • /dʒɛnˈtil/

Definitions of genteel word

  • adjective genteel belonging or suited to polite society. 1
  • adjective genteel well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish. 1
  • adjective genteel affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc. 1
  • noun genteel Polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way. 1
  • adjective genteel person: refined 1
  • adjective genteel stylish, elegant 1

Information block about the term

Origin of genteel

First appearance:

before 1590
One of the 37% oldest English words
1590-1600; < French gentil; see gentle

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Genteel

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

genteel popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 87% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

genteel usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for genteel

adj genteel

  • noble — distinguished by rank or title.
  • ostentatious — characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.
  • polite — showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.; courteous; civil: a polite reply.
  • aristocratic — Aristocratic means belonging to or typical of the aristocracy.
  • stylish — characterized by or conforming to style or the fashionable standard; fashionably elegant; smart or chic: She wore a very stylish gown to the inaugural ball.

adjective genteel

  • proper — adapted or appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; fit; suitable: the proper time to plant strawberries.
  • discreet — judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
  • decorous — Decorous behaviour is very respectable, calm, and polite.
  • cultured — If you describe someone as cultured, you mean that they have good manners, are well educated, and know a lot about the arts.
  • sophisticated — sophisticated.

Antonyms for genteel

adj genteel

  • unsophisticated — not sophisticated; simple; artless.
  • uncivilized — not civilized or cultured; barbarous.
  • boorish — Boorish behaviour is rough, uneducated, and rude.
  • callous — A callous person or action is very cruel and shows no concern for other people or their feelings.
  • uncultured — the lack or absence of culture: Much modern fiction is a product of unculture.

adjective genteel

  • vulgar — characterized by ignorance of or lack of good breeding or taste: vulgar ostentation.
  • modest — having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.

Top questions with genteel

  • what does genteel mean?
  • what is the meaning of genteel?
  • what is genteel culture?
  • what is genteel?
  • what does the word genteel mean?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?