Definition

A well-mannered and considerate man who behaves in a polite and respectful way.

Example

He is a true gentleman, always opening doors for others.

Conversation

I met a really nice gentleman at the coffee shop today.

Oh really? What was he like?

He was very polite and had great manners.

Sounds like a rare find these days!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gentleman → It is formed from "gentle" (from Old French *gentil*, meaning noble or well-born) and "man" (from Old English *mann*, meaning person or human). The word "gentleman" originally referred to a man of noble birth or a man of good social standing.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'noble' ('gentle') person ('man') — that's why a gentleman is often seen as a man of good character and social standing.

Visually Confused Words