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 addressladies and gentlemen
gentlemanlikeness
noun
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
One, the foreman, is a gentleman who was born in the Dominican Republic and came to NYC in 1996.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
The foundation is named for its ingenious couturier-founder, a gentleman whose love for fashion history inspired him to collect the historic and modern work of the masters of haute couture.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy A Minecraft Movie.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
The beauty of that period is that there is a culture of the gentleman, with a certain kind of sartorial, social contract where you’re almost obliged to be elegant.
—Mark Holgate, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentleman
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Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
The foundation is named for its ingenious couturier-founder, a gentleman whose love for fashion history inspired him to collect the historic and modern work of the masters of haute couture.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy A Minecraft Movie.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
The beauty of that period is that there is a culture of the gentleman, with a certain kind of sartorial, social contract where you’re almost obliged to be elegant.
—Mark Holgate, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentleman
Cite this Entry
“Gentleman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentleman. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gentleman
noun
gen·tle·man
ˈjen(t)-ᵊl-mən
1
: a man born to a family of high social rank
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
noun
-lē-nəs
gentlemanly
adjective
-lē
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