genteel

American  

[jen-teel] / dʒɛnˈtil /

adjective

1. belonging or suited to polite society.

2. well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish.

3. affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.

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genteel British  

/ dʒɛnˈtiːl /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• genteelly adverb
• genteelness noun
• pseudogenteel adjective
• quasi-genteel adjective
• quasi-genteelly adverb
• ungenteel adjective

Etymology

Origin of genteel

1590–1600; < French gentil; see gentle

Explanation

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. The word genteel comes from the Old French word gentil, "high-born, noble." We can see the similarity to the word gentle, as in gentleman and gentlewoman. The word is especially powerful in describing Chaucer's Knight in the Canterbury Tales as "a verray, parfit gentil knyght" — "a true, perfect, noble knight," dignified, patrician, and as genteel as they come. Today, it describes someone elegant, fashionable, and well-bred. Picture someone in riding jodhpurs reading Town and Country while astride a magnificent show horse.

Example Sentences

This wasn’t “an argument between genteel parties in Congress,” William Hogeland writes in his history, The Whiskey Rebellion, “but…a guerrilla war on the country’s ragged margin, our first war for the American soul.”

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

This is simply Sheridan’s pitch for escaping New York, but in a genteel manner.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

In genteel phrasing, Ancora also alludes to the fact that Paramount would itself remain woefully undersized if it doesn’t merge with Warner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Pilates, which combines stretching and body weight conditioning exercises, has, for some, a fusty image - a gentle and genteel workout for those of advancing years.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Mother’s shyness and ladylike demeanor had a quieting effect on him, and he was displaying his most genteel behavior.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Related Words

• aristocratic
• elegant
• noble
• ostentatious
• polite
• refined
• stylish