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
The Home for Retired Bears, benignly administered by the musical nuns, resembles an island gentlemen’s club in early Bond movies: think cane furniture, the wistful whiff of Empire and a faintly sinister air.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
Forbes estimates her net worth, along with second gentleman Doug Emhoff, at about $8 million, up from $7 million in 2021.
—Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Michael Stipe performed at a Harris-Walz get-out-the-vote rally in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday attended by Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz (MN) and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024
Harris' husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, was played again by former cast member Andy Samberg and Dana Carvey appeared as President Biden.
—CBS News, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gentleman 
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Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
Forbes estimates her net worth, along with second gentleman Doug Emhoff, at about $8 million, up from $7 million in 2021.
—Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Michael Stipe performed at a Harris-Walz get-out-the-vote rally in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday attended by Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz (MN) and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024
Harris' husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, was played again by former cast member Andy Samberg and Dana Carvey appeared as President Biden.
—CBS News, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gentleman
Articles Related to gentleman
Dictionary Entries Near gentleman
Cite this Entry
“Gentleman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentleman. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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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