# gents

/ˈdʒɛnts/ (US) · /dʒˈɛnts/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gents
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a polite or slightly funny way to say 'men'. You also use it to talk about a public toilet for men.

For teachers: a colloquial shortening of 'gentlemen', used as a collective address or to refer to a male public lavatory.

## Examples

- The gents are over there by the entrance.
- He excused himself from the table to visit the gents before the main course arrived.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Where is the gent?" but "Where are the gents?" — When referring to the bathroom, the word is always plural and requires a plural verb.

## Usage notes

- Pluralia tantum when referring to the toilet facility; takes plural verb agreement ('The gents are closed').

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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.