gentlemanly

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈdʒɛntəlmənli/ UK /ˈdʒentlmənli/ See IPA manual

Freq #30722

Meanings

1

adj
courteous, honorable, and considerate in a way traditionally expected of a gentleman

He offered a calm and gentlemanly apology for the misunderstanding.
2

adj
befitting or characteristic of a gentleman, especially according to older standards of social conduct or status

The school claimed that fencing was a gentlemanly accomplishment.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · courteous, honorable, and... courteous chivalrous honorable

2 adj · befitting or characteristic... refined respectable genteel

Opposites

boorishdiscourteousungentlemanly

Word family

Derived forms gentlemanliness ungentlemanly

Related forms gentleman courtesy chivalry

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

gentlemanly behavior
Conduct showing courtesy, consideration, and manners traditionally associated with a gentleman.

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English gentilmanly, formed from gentleman + the adjectival suffix -ly. Its meaning reflects historically gendered and class-based ideals of polite, honorable conduct; modern use usually emphasizes courtesy rather than social rank.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# gentlemanly

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈdʒɛntəlmənli/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈdʒentlmənli/
**Frequency rank:** 30722

## Meanings
1. courteous, honorable, and considerate in a way traditionally expected of a gentleman
2. befitting or characteristic of a gentleman, especially according to older standards of social conduct or status

## Examples
- He offered a calm and gentlemanly apology for the misunderstanding.
- The school claimed that fencing was a gentlemanly accomplishment.

## Synonyms
- courteous
- chivalrous
- honorable
- refined

## Antonyms
- boorish
- discourteous
- ungentlemanly

## Derived Forms
- gentlemanliness
- ungentlemanly

## Related Forms
- gentleman
- courtesy
- chivalry

## Etymology
From Middle English gentilmanly, formed from gentleman + the adjectival suffix -ly. Its meaning reflects historically gendered and class-based ideals of polite, honorable conduct; modern use usually emphasizes courtesy rather than social rank.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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