gentlemanly

C1 Topic:Describing People

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

Common collocations

gentlemanly behavior 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 People

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 People

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