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gentlemanlike

gentlemanlike

7.9
Showing polite and respectful manners and appearance
  • adjective
  • /ˈdʒɛntəlmənˌlaɪk/
translation icon : caballeroso
  • He dressed in a gentlemanlike style, wearing a tailored suit and polished shoes.

Examples

  • At times, you are the most gentlemanlike man I know and yet you would...

  • Your offer is most sincere, I can see, and gentlemanlike, and it honours me, truly.

  • She is attracted to Henry upon their first meeting, when he is described as "a very gentlemanlike young man" of about "four or five and twenty" who "was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it."

    Academic text (2018)
  • He always opens the door for others in a gentlemanlike manner.

  • Her gentlemanlike behavior during the dinner impressed everyone present.

Synonyms

dignified
vsgentlemanlike
71 4.6

Calm and serious in a way that shows self respect and gets respect from others

focuses more on courteous social manners than solemn dignity
courteous
vsgentlemanlike
43 3.7

Polite and respectful when you speak or behave

stresses refined appearance and formal social bearing
polite
vsgentlemanlike
18 1.0

Having elegant manners and good taste in art or dress

is tied to a traditional refined male ideal in conduct
gentlemanly
vsgentlemanlike
17 4.4

Polite and considerate in a calm, respectful way

is more about refined manners and social polish
chivalrous
vsgentlemanlike
15 7.5

Showing polite, protective, and brave behavior like a knight

emphasizes refined courteous conduct rather than bravery or protection
genteel
vsgentlemanlike
14 7.7

Polite and elegant in a way that tries to impress others

is similar but more genuine and modest in refinement
well-mannered
vsgentlemanlike
10 2.9

Polite and respectful to other people

places more weight on refined style and presentation
courtly
vsgentlemanlike
  • Literature
6 7.2

Polite and elegant like people at a royal court

is broader and used in many polite social situations
prim and proper
vsgentlemanlike
3 7.0

Very formal and correct in clothes and manners, often strict and stiff

is more gently refined and courteous rather than rigid
mannerly
vsgentlemanlike
1 4.1

Polite and behaving well around other people

leans more toward polished, refined social presentation
mannerable
vsgentlemanlike
  • Archaic
1 7.3

Being polite and treating people with respect

is more about elegant appearance and traditional standards

Antonyms

594 1.0

Not polite or showing little respect for others

uncouth
  • Offensive
10 8.4

Not polite or well behaved in a rough way

How Gentlemanly

chivalrous
15 7.5
gentlemanlike
7.9
courteous
43 3.7
polite
329 1.0
civil
585 3.9

Surface Forms

gentlemanlike positive

Morphology

gentlemanlike = gentleman (transparent) = gentleman + like

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'gentleman' with the productive suffix '-like' meaning 'in the manner of or resembling a gentleman'.

Etymology

Gentlemanlike comes from gentle + man + -like, where gentle used to mean 'well-born' and now also means 'kind', and -like means 'like'. So gentlemanlike means 'like a gentleman' and describes polite, respectful behavior.