Genteel Meaning in English
word
dʒɛnˈtiɫ
jen-TEEL
dʒˈɛntiːl
jen-TEEL
Definition
Describes someone, or their manners and appearance, as polite, refined, and often a little formal or old-fashioned.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and literary; can suggest someone is putting on refined manners, sometimes in a way that feels artificial or outdated. Common with 'society', 'manners', or as criticism ('too genteel for this job'). Not interchangeable with 'gentle' or 'courteous'.
Spanish: refinado - educado - elegantePortuguese (BR): refinado - educado - elegantePortuguese (PT): requintado - educado - eleganteChinese (Simplified): 文雅的 - 有教养的Chinese (Traditional): 文雅的 - 有教養的Hindi: सभ्य - शिष्ट - कुलीनArabic: مهذب - راقٍ - نبيلBengali: ভদ্র - মার্জিত (পুরানো ঢঙের সাবলীলতা সহ)Russian: изысканный - утончённый - манерный (устаревшее, манерное)Japanese: 上品な - 礼儀正しい（やや古風または形式的なニュアンス）Vietnamese: thanh lịch - lịch thiệp (có phần cổ điển hoặc kiểu cách)Korean: 고상한 - 품위 있는 (약간 격식 있고 옛스럽게)Turkish: kibar - ince (biraz eski moda veya resmi anlamla)Urdu: شائستہ - نفیس (کبھی کبھی ضرورت سے زیادہ رسمی)Indonesian: beradab - halus (dengan nuansa agak resmi atau kuno)
Example Sentences
Her genteel manners made a good impression at the dinner.
basic
He spoke in a genteel and quiet voice.
basic
The old house had a genteel look from the outside.
basic
She always tries to act genteel, even when she’s annoyed.
natural
That neighborhood used to be very genteel, but now it’s much livelier.
natural
He found the party too genteel for his taste and left early.
natural