gentility

[jen-til-i-tee] / dʒɛnˈtɪl ɪ ti /

NOUN

sophistication, cultivation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aristocracy civility decorum elegance politeness propriety respectability

STRONG

courtesy courtliness culture elite etiquette flower formality gentlefolk gentry nobility polish quality rank refinement society urbanity

WEAK

blue blood gentle birth good breeding good family good manners high birth mannerliness optimacy ruling class upper class upper crust

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad manners impoliteness rudeness

WEAK

coarseness crudeness roughness rusticity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Du Maurier’s world is one of pinched gentility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Its noble gentility has been subtly adding to the DNA of the California sound.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2025

So what this shows about Richard Mack is that, in his eyes, one of the appeals of the constitutional sheriff movement is that they represent a sort of gentility that doesn't exist in policing anymore.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2024

Described as a study of masculinity, the collection blended strength and gentility with a focus on refinement.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2023

I feel oppressed, too, by the mandatory gentility of Wal-Mart culture.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Vocabulary lists containing gentility

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Tuck Everlasting

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