genteel
/dʒenˈtiːl/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒenˈtiːl/ (ame, ipa) · /jen-ˈtēl/ (ame, mw)
genteel — adjective
- genteelpositive
- more genteelcomparative
- most genteelsuperlative
1. showing the manners, dress, or lifestyle associated with people from a wealthy u
showing the manners, dress, or lifestyle associated with people from a wealthy upper class.
Noa grew up in a genteel family that owned a small country estate near Oxford.
common collocation: a genteel family
The hotel lobby had a genteel atmosphere, with leather chairs and quiet piano music.
collocation: a genteel atmosphere
Maeve preferred the genteel charm of the old seaside town to the noisy city.
Tea was served on silver trays in the genteel parlour of the country house.
- aristocratic
more direct about noble birth; genteel suggests the lifestyle without naming the rank.
- patrician
formal, often historical; genteel covers a broader, gentler picture of upper-class life.
- lowly
of humble social rank.
用法筆記
Often describes places, families, or lifestyles tied to old wealth rather than people directly; suggests inherited social status, not modern affluence.
2. having very polite, refined, and graceful manners, often in a careful or old-fas
having very polite, refined, and graceful manners, often in a careful or old-fashioned way.
Élise had a genteel way of pouring tea that her grandmother had taught her.
common collocation: a genteel way of + V-ing
Minh greeted each guest with a genteel bow and a soft smile.
The old waiter spoke in a genteel manner that made every diner feel welcome.
Constanza wrote thank-you notes in a genteel hand, with neat letters and full sentences.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on personal manners and behaviour, not social-class background. A person from any background may behave in a genteel manner.
3. quiet, soft, and free from anything strong or rough in feeling or atmosphere.
quiet, soft, and free from anything strong or rough in feeling or atmosphere.
Christopher spoke in a genteel voice that calmed the worried children in the waiting room.
collocation: a genteel voice
The garden offered a genteel quiet that you could not find anywhere else in the city.
Baraka prefers genteel walks by the river to long, hard hikes in the mountains.
The library had a genteel hush that made everyone speak in whispers.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes the calm quality of a place, sound, or activity, not a person's manners. Often pairs with nouns like voice, walk, silence, hush.
4. acting overly polite or refined in order to seem of a higher social class than o
acting overly polite or refined in order to seem of a higher social class than one really is.
Imran rolled his eyes at the genteel airs his neighbour put on for the new boss.
common collocation: genteel airs (with a critical tone)
The shopkeeper used a genteel accent with rich customers but spoke plainly with everyone else.
collocation: a genteel accent (used pretentiously)
Aylin found her cousin's genteel pretensions about wine and art tiring after a few visits.
Putri laughed at the genteel poverty of writers who refused real jobs but lived off their parents.
- down-to-earth
natural and unpretentious.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes real upper-class background; this sense describes pretending or putting on a show of refinement. The tone is usually critical or ironic.