# gentility

/dʒɛnˈtɪɫɪti/ (US) · /dʒɛntˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gentility
Updated: 2026-10-07

## Definition

the quality of being polite, well-behaved, and coming from a high social class. It describes a way of living that is very traditional and elegant.

For teachers: the quality of belonging to the upper social classes, typically manifested through refined manners and elegant lifestyle. Often carries a connotation of traditional or old-fashioned social standards.

## Examples

- The old hotel still has an air of quiet gentility.
- Despite their lack of money, the family maintained a sense of gentility through their formal dinners and polite conversation.
- The neighborhood's fading gentility was evident in the crumbling Victorian mansions that had once been the center of the city's high society.

## Synonyms

refinement, Breeding, politeness, elegance, civility, courtesy, decorum

## Antonyms

vulgarity, rudeness, coarseness, uncouthness

## Usage notes

- Frequently appears in the phrase 'an air of gentility' or 'faded gentility'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.