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- Dictionarygen·teel/jenˈtēl/
adjective
- 1. polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way: "her genteel upbringing"
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: maintaining or striving to maintain the appearance of superior or middle-class social status or respectability. a shabby genteel mansion. b (1) : marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation. was genteel on the surface, but had a hard heart. (2) : conventionally or insipidly pretty.
Jun 2, 2024 · genteel (comparative more genteel, superlative most genteel) Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.
GENTEEL definition: 1. typical of a high social class: 2. being very polite, gentle, or graceful: 3. calm and gentle: . Learn more.
Although the adjective genteel means high-class and refined, it is often used today in a somewhat mocking tone, as though good manners and elegance are passé. Still, it would be nice if more people were a little more genteel.
Genteel definition: belonging or suited to polite society.. See examples of GENTEEL used in a sentence.
1. affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite. 2. respectable, polite, and well-bred: a genteel old lady. 3. appropriate to polite or fashionable society: genteel behaviour. [C16: from French gentil well-born; see gentle] genˈteelly adv. genˈteelness n.
GENTEEL meaning: 1. typical of a high social class: 2. being very polite, gentle, or graceful: 3. calm and gentle: . Learn more.
A genteel person is respectable and well-mannered, and comes or seems to come from a high social class.
genteel. adjective. /dʒenˈtiːl/ (sometimes disapproving) (of people and their way of life) quiet and polite, often in an exaggerated way; from, or pretending to be from, a high social class. a genteel manner. Her genteel accent irritated me. He lived in genteel poverty (= trying to keep the style of a high social class, but with little money).
GENTEEL meaning: 1 : of or relating to people who have high social status aristocratic; 2 : pretending or trying to have the qualities and manners of people who have high social status.
