shabby-genteel

[ shab-ee-jen-teel ]

/ ˈʃæb i dʒɛnˈtil /

trying to maintain dignity and self-respect despite shabbiness.

Origin of shabby-genteel

First recorded in 1745–55

shab·by-gen·til·i·ty

[shab-ee-jen-til-i-tee] /ˈʃæb i dʒɛnˈtɪl ɪ ti/, noun

Starvation, shabby-genteel rags, beatings, and full-flavored curses were her daily portion.

Superwomen |Albert Payson Terhune
The cars hummed smoothly through the broad streets, past the shabby-genteel apartment neighborhood.

Instant of Decision |Gordon Randall Garrett
Here were crowded together seamen and landsmen, pickpockets, the refuse of the streets, and shabby-genteel gentlemen.

George Cruikshank's Omnibus |George Cruikshank
The speaker was an elderly man of shabby-genteel appearance and polite address.

Blue Lights |R.M. Ballantyne

Such objects, with few exceptions, are shabby-genteel people.

Sketches by Boz |Charles Dickens

shabby-genteel

preserving or aspiring to the forms and manners of gentility despite appearing shabby