genteel

[ jen-teel ]
/ dʒɛnˈtil /

adjective

belonging or suited to polite society.
well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish.
affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.

Origin of genteel

1590–1600; < French gentil; see gentle

OTHER WORDS FROM genteel

Words nearby genteel

genseng, genseric, gent, gent., gentamicin, genteel, genteelism, gentian, gentian blue, gentian family, gentian violet

Example sentences from the Web for genteelly

British Dictionary definitions for genteelly

genteel
/ (dʒɛnˈtiːl) /

adjective

affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite
respectable, polite, and well-bred a genteel old lady
appropriate to polite or fashionable society genteel behaviour

Derived forms of genteel

genteelly, adverb genteelness, noun

Word Origin for genteel

C16: from French gentil well-born; see gentle