gentleman

noun

gen·​tle·​man ˈjen-tᵊl-mən 

ˈje-nᵊl-,

 in rapid speech also  ˈjen-tə-mən,

ˈje-nə-

often attributive

1

a

: a man of noble or gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth

b

: a man belonging to the landed gentry

c(1)

: a man who combines gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth or rank with chivalrous qualities

(2)

: a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior

d(1)

: a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain

(2)

: a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain

2

: valet sense 1b

—often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman

3

: a man of any social class or condition

—often used in a courteous reference

show this gentleman to a seat

or usually in the plural in address

ladies and gentlemen

gentlemanlike

ˈjen-tᵊl-mən-ˌlīk 

ˈje-nᵊl-

adjective

gentlemanlikeness noun

Synonyms

• grandee
• lord
• milord
• nobleman
• peer

Examples of gentleman in a Sentence

A true gentleman would never engage in such behavior.

He's a gentleman by birth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and others will join Harris on Friday, along with the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff. —Libby Cathey, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, please welcome the Rolex 2024 lineup to the stage. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, made a three-stop swing on Monday through the Phoenix area. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

Bebe Hodges Check your cabinets, ladies and gentlemen. —The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024

The gentleman has clearly done his homework and put in hard training. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024

Ludwig: Energetic and loyal Ludwig, the almost two-year-old Belgian Malinois, has a name befitting a real gentleman. —The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024

My father was a complete gentleman every single day of his life. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024

Take the Sartorial Sunset glasses—seen on the gentleman above—which are part of his recent expansion into eyewear. —Max Berlinger, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gentilman

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gentleman

• gentleman's agreement
• gentleman's club
• gentleman-commoner
• country gentleman
• gentleman farmer
• gentleman-at-arms
• a lady/man/gentleman of leisure
• first gentleman
• second gentleman
• gentleman of fortune

Kids Definition

gentleman

noun

gen·​tle·​man ˈjen(t)-ᵊl-mən 

1

: a man of good birth and position

2

: a man of good education and social position

3

: a male with very good manners

reminded her young son to be a gentleman

4

: man

I can help this gentleman

ladies and gentlemen

gentlemanliness

-lē-nəs

noun

gentlemanly

-lē

adjective