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

The Groucho Club was opened in 1985 as a more relaxed alternative to traditional gentlemen’s clubs and has a long association with A-list celebrities.

From BBC

He normally only wears it outside, as "a gentleman doesn't usually wear his hat indoors", he explained.

From BBC

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that Mr Reid was "a true giant in local journalism, and an all-round gentleman".

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

The impact it is having on the gentlemen who attend the group, which meets in the town of Otley every Monday, is self-evident.

From BBC

Related Words

• aristocrat
• nobleman