gentility
- noun
- /dʒɛnˈtɪlɪti/
- The gentility of the old neighborhood was reflected in the well-kept gardens and charming architecture.
- gentility and refinement
- Victorian gentility
Examples
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"Mr. Elstree is somewhat older than you, but he's a model of courtesy and gentility."
Fiction book (1993) -
A gathering point for local society, it blends gentility and old-world charm with a leading-edge spa and innovative cuisine.
Blog text (19) -
Your sweet gentility is crystal clear
-
Her skills as a draftsman appear here in part as testimony to her gentility.
Academic text (2011) -
It was a land of prosperity, gentility and appreciation of freedom which my father valued above all else.
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The idea of a marriage of the Sullivan money and the Pettigrus' gentility was widely approved and even applauded.
Fiction book (1991) -
The cadence of their speech and the gentility of their political arguments were even then relics of a bygone age.
Blog text (19) -
Reticence, Virginia, is the sine qua non of gentility.
-
While Dilsey served at the discretion of the Compson family, Faulkner portrays her as the embodiment of the gentility, grace, and compassion by which these same aristocrats understood themselves.
Academic text (2009) -
Her gentility was evident in the way she greeted everyone with a warm smile and polite words.
Synonyms
A polite, stylish way of acting or dressing
Polite ways of behaving toward other people, like saying please and thank you
A smooth, attractive way of moving or behaving
A graceful, stylish way of looking or behaving that shows good taste
Showing good manners and respect to other people
Polite manners learned from family or education
Being kind, polite, and generous to other people
A polite, calm, and stylish way of behaving common in cities
A calm, elegant way of moving and behaving
A quality of being elegant, stylish, and showing good taste
Formal good manners and speech that shows respect for others
Smooth, polite behavior that makes people feel comfortable
A polite way of behaving that follows social rules
Polite and elegant behavior like people at a royal court
A polite, graceful way of behaving, speaking, and dressing
A style that seems elegant and upper class
A smooth, charming way of behaving that makes people feel relaxed
A polite way of behaving that shows respect for other people
Good behaviour that follows social rules and shows respect for others
Antonyms
How Refined
- NSFW
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word gentility comes from the Latin gens meaning 'family' or 'clan' and from gentilis meaning 'of the family' or 'noble'. Like gentle and gentleman, it came to mean polite, refined behaviour and a sense of social standing.