Genteel Meaning
/d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjAffectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.
adjPolite and well-mannered.
Sentence Examples
Oh, how genteel and gallant men are when they want something from a poor woman!
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hostess's ____ manners put all the guests at ease during dinner.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The old neighborhood was known for its ____ atmosphere, with its quiet streets and well-kept gardens.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French gentil (“gentile”), from Latin gentīlis (“of or belonging to the same people or nation”), from gēns (“clan; tribe; people, family”) + adjective suffix -īlis (“-ile”). Doublet of gentle, gentile, and jaunty. See also gens, gender, genus, and generation.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Genteel America was handicapped by meagerness of soul, thinness of temper, paucity of talent."
— 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 407:
"Indeed I would advise every ſingle lady, if poſſible, to attend her inamorato, pretty frequently at the card table; and however genteel and agreeable his behaviour should be to herſelf, if he is haſty or pettiſh with any one else in company, she may depend on the ſame fate when once the knot is tied."
— 1795, Joseph Addison, “An Essay on Card-playing”, in Interesting Anecdotes, Memoirs, Allegories, Essays, and Poetical Fragments; Tending to Amuse the Fancy, and Inculcate Morality, page 67:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hostess's ____ manners put all the guests at ease during dinner.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The old neighborhood was known for its ____ atmosphere, with its quiet streets and well-kept gardens.