gentleman
n.-
1 polite/kind man (n.) B1 Intermediatea man who is polite, honest, and treats other people with respect.
a man of refined manners and civilised conduct who adheres to high standards of propriety.
ExampleHe was a true gentleman and offered his seat to the elderly woman.
ExampleThe witness described the suspect as a soft-spoken gentleman who appeared entirely out of place in such a chaotic environment.
- man of honour
- chivalrous man
- scoundrel
- boor
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2 polite term for any man (n.) A2 Elementary Formala polite way to talk about or address any man.
a polite or formal designation for a male person, frequently used in the plural as a form of address.
ExampleLadies and gentlemen, please welcome our guest speaker for the evening.
ExampleThe usher requested that the gentlemen remove their hats before entering the main sanctuary for the ceremony.
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3 social rank (n.) C1 Advanced Archaic British English Lawa man from a high social class who does not need to work for money.
a man of high social status, specifically one of 'gentle' birth who owns property and does not engage in manual labour.
ExampleIn the old novel, the main character was a gentleman who spent his days reading and hunting.
ExampleUnder traditional English law, a gentleman was defined as an armigerous man ranking below a knight but above a yeoman.
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4 amateur (n.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal Sportsomeone who does an activity for fun rather than as a job, often because they are wealthy.
an amateur participant in a sport or profession, historically distinguished from professionals who received payment.
ExampleHe was a gentleman scientist who funded his own experiments in his basement.
ExampleThe distinction between 'gentlemen' and 'players' in cricket historically separated wealthy amateurs from those who played for a wage.
- amateur
- dabbler
From Middle English gentilman, morphologically gentle + man, partial calque of Old French gentilhome.
- Noungent
- Noungentleman