gentlewoman

American  

[jen-tl-woom-uhn] / ˈdʒɛn tlˌwʊm ən /

noun

PLURAL

gentlewomen

1. a woman of good family, breeding, or social position

2. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered woman; lady.

3. a woman who attends upon a lady of rank.

4. a female member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives.

   The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maine.

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gentlewoman British  

/ ˈdʒɛntəlˌwʊmən /

noun

1. archaic  a woman regarded as being of good family or breeding; lady

2. rare  a woman who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated

3. history a woman in personal attendance on a high-ranking lady

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Other Word Forms

• gentlewomanliness noun
• gentlewomanly adjective

Etymology

Origin of gentlewoman

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; gentle, woman

Example Sentences

“Portrait of a Court Lady,” acquired in 2013, shows the nearly life-size image of a refined gentlewoman seated on a garden terrace.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Lady was established in 1885 by Thomas Gibson Bowles, as a magazine for gentlewomen, a weekly guide to navigating the social minefield of well-to-do British life.

From BBC

She thinks it matters that Chenery engaged with fans as “a perfect gentlewoman.”

From Washington Post

“I support repealing these tax credits,” he replied, offering only the noncommittal promise to “continue to work with the gentlewoman from Virginia, just like we will with all members.”

From Washington Post

One of his stories is about a Southern gentlewoman who keeps her dead fiance’s corpse in her bed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• girl
• mother