genteel
/dʒenˈtiːl/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒenˈtiːl/ (ame, ipa) · /jen-ˈtēl/ (ame, mw)
genteel — 形容詞
- genteelpositive
- more genteelcomparative
- most genteelsuperlative
1. showing the manners, dress, or lifestyle associated with people from a wealthy u
上流的
屬於或來自富裕上流社會的
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.
Noa 在一個上流家庭長大，家裡在牛津附近擁有一座小型鄉間莊園。
common collocation: a genteel family
The hotel lobby had a genteel atmosphere, with leather chairs and quiet piano music.
飯店大廳散發上流氣息，擺著皮椅，還有輕柔的鋼琴聲。
collocation: a genteel atmosphere
Maeve preferred the genteel charm of the old seaside town to the noisy city.
Maeve 偏愛那座海邊老鎮的上流氣息，勝過喧鬧的城市。
Tea was served on silver trays in the genteel parlour of the country house.
茶用銀盤端出，送進那棟鄉間宅邸上流氣派的客廳裡。
- 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
彬彬有禮
舉止優雅有教養
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.
Élise 倒茶的姿態彬彬有禮，那是奶奶教她的。
common collocation: a genteel way of + V-ing
Minh greeted each guest with a genteel bow and a soft smile.
Minh 對每位客人都彬彬有禮地鞠躬，臉上掛著淡淡的微笑。
The old waiter spoke in a genteel manner that made every diner feel welcome.
那位年長的服務生說話彬彬有禮，讓每位客人都覺得受到歡迎。
Constanza wrote thank-you notes in a genteel hand, with neat letters and full sentences.
Constanza 寫感謝卡時舉止彬彬有禮，字跡工整、句子完整。
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.
輕柔的
安靜柔和、不粗不躁的
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.
Christopher 用輕柔的聲音安撫候診室裡焦慮的孩子們。
collocation: a genteel voice
The garden offered a genteel quiet that you could not find anywhere else in the city.
這座花園有一種輕柔的寧靜，是城裡其他地方找不到的。
Baraka prefers genteel walks by the river to long, hard hikes in the mountains.
Baraka 喜歡沿著河邊輕柔地散步，而不愛在山裡長途硬走。
The library had a genteel hush that made everyone speak in whispers.
圖書館裡瀰漫一種輕柔的靜謐，讓所有人都壓低聲音說話。
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
裝高雅
為了顯得高貴而裝模作樣
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.
Imran 對鄰居在新老闆面前裝高雅的姿態翻了個白眼。
common collocation: genteel airs (with a critical tone)
The shopkeeper used a genteel accent with rich customers but spoke plainly with everyone else.
店家對富有的客人會擺出裝高雅的口音，對其他人就講得很平常。
collocation: a genteel accent (used pretentiously)
Aylin found her cousin's genteel pretensions about wine and art tiring after a few visits.
Aylin 覺得表親那種裝高雅地談酒談藝術的派頭，跑幾趟就累了。
Putri laughed at the genteel poverty of writers who refused real jobs but lived off their parents.
Putri 笑那些作家裝高雅地過著窮日子，不肯找正經工作，靠父母養。
- 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.