DictionaryAI

gentleman

noun
JEN-tuhl-muhn/ˈd͡ʒɛn.təl.mən/JEN-tul-muhn/ˈd͡ʒɛn.təl.mən/

Pluralgentlemen

6 meanings of gentleman

Practice

  1. 1
    nounpoliteterm of addresscountable
    A polite word for any man.

    There's a gentleman at the door asking to see you.

    Could you please help this gentleman find his seat?

    Similarman, sir

    Oppositelady

    Note
  2. 2
    nouncountable
    A man who has good manners and is kind and charming.

    He's a real gentleman who always holds the door open for people.

    What a true gentleman, thanking everyone for coming to dinner.

    Oppositeboor, lout, cad, brute

    Note
  3. 3
    nounhistoricalcountable
    A man from a respected family who owned land and did not need to work for money.

    He was a gentleman who lived off the rent from his land.

    But when Adam delued, and Eue ſpan, VVho was then a Gentleman?
    1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke StrawHere, Gentleman means a man from a respected family who did not work for money.

    Similarsquire, esquire

    Note
  4. 4
    nouncountable
    A sports player who plays for fun and is rich enough not to need payment.

    He played as a gentleman and never took any money for his matches.

    The club welcomed several gentlemen who played purely for the love of the game.

    Similaramateur

    Oppositeprofessional

    Note
  5. 5
    nounderogatoryhistoricalcountable
    A man who plays at a subject for fun instead of doing it seriously, often said as an insult.

    Everyone treated him as a gentleman who played at science but never finished anything.

    Latrobe had extensive dealings with Jefferson, the most prominent gentleman-architect in the United States.
    2004, Mary N. Woods, “The First Professional: Benjamin Henry Latrobe”Here, gentleman means a man who does a subject for interest, not as a job.

    Similardilettante

    Oppositeprofessional, expert

    Note
  6. 6
    nounderogatorycountable
    A man seen as too soft or too fussy, said in a mean way.

    The other boys teased him as a gentleman who was scared of getting dirty.

    They laughed at the soft gentleman who hated any rough game.

    Similarsissy, fairy, pansy, femboy, twink

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English gentilman, made from 'gentle' plus 'man'. It partly copies Old French gentilhome.