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 • Nov. 12, 2025

"Because being a polite gentleman or gentlewoman is all about first impressions," she said.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025

“I know the gentlewoman to be open minded about LG and B people,” said Takano, who is gay, referring to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2023

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2023

So the natural thing would have been for her to go out and live with Judith, the natural thing for her or any Southern woman, gentlewoman.

From "Absalom, Absalom!" by William Faulkner

Related Words

• girl
• mother