gentleman

[ jen-tl-muhn ]

noun

, plural gen·tle·men.

1. a man of good family, breeding, or social position.
2. (used as a polite term) a man:

   Do you know that gentleman over there?

3. gentlemen, (used as a form of address):

   Gentlemen, please come this way.

4. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man:

   He behaved like a true gentleman.

5. a male personal servant, especially of a man of social position; valet.
6. a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person, who is himself of high birth or rank.
7. a man of good social standing, as a noble or an armigerous commoner.
8. a man with an independent income who does not work for a living.
9. a male member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives:

   The chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.

10. History/Historical. a man who is above the rank of yeoman.

gentleman

/ ˈdʒɛntəlmən /

noun

1. a man regarded as having qualities of refinement associated with a good family
2. a man who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
3. a polite name for a man
4. the personal servant of a gentleman (esp in the phrase gentleman's gentleman )
5. history a man of gentle birth, who was entitled to bear arms, ranking above a yeoman in social position
6. (formerly) a smuggler

Derived Forms

• ˈgentlemanly, adjective
• ˈgentlemanliness, noun

Other Words From

• gentle·man·like adjective
• under·gentle·man noun plural undergentlemen
• un·gentle·man·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentleman¹

Middle English word dating back to 1225–75; gentle, man

Synonym Study

See man.

Example Sentences

He was known for roles on stage and screeen including in TV sitcoms Not Going Out and Bedtime, dramas like Bleak House and Gentleman Jack, and soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders.

From BBC

I had a young flight attendant, a gentleman, come up to me and say, “This movie made me look at what I was doing, the dieting and all these things, and I realized I just had to stop, go down a completely different path and be more kind to myself.”

From Los Angeles Times

He was the perfect gentleman, along with having a Hollywood producer cool.

From Los Angeles Times

“He's a font of misplaced rage. Name your cliché; mother held him too much or not enough, last picked at kickball, late night sneaky uncle, whatever. Now he's so angry moments of levity actually cause him pain; gives him headaches. Happiness, for that gentleman, hurts.”

From Salon

The vice president, who shares the residence with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, comes here with some regularity, prompting the Secret Service to divert traffic, restrict parking and take other precautions designed to keep her safe.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aristocrat
• nobleman