gentleman

UK: /ˈdʒɛnt^əlmən/ US: /ˈdʒɛntəlmən/ ,( jen′tl mən)

Inflections of 'gentleman' (n): npl: gentlemen

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

gen•tle•man /ˈdʒɛntəlmən/   n. [countable] , pl. -men 

1. a man of good family, breeding, or social position.
2. (used as a polite term) a man:
   Do you know that gentleman in the tweed suit?
3. gentlemen, (used as a form of address):
   Gentlemen, please come this way.
4. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man:
   always a perfect gentleman.

gen•tle•man•ly, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

gen•tle•man  ( jen′tl mən), n., pl. -men. 

1. a man of good family, breeding, or social position.
2. (used as a polite term) a man:
   Do you know that gentleman over there?
3. gentlemen, (used as a form of address):
   Gentlemen, please come this way.
4. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man:
   He behaved like a true gentleman.
5. a male personal servant, esp. of a man of social position;
   valet.
6. Government a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person, who is himself of high birth or rank.
7. Government a man of good social standing, as a noble or an armigerous commoner.
8. a man with an independent income who does not work for a living.
9. Government a male member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives:
   The chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
10. World History [Hist.] a man who is above the rank of yeoman.

• 1225–75; Middle English; see gentle, man¹

gen′tle•man•like′, adj. 
Synonyms

• 4. See man. 

Usage

See lady. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gentleman / ˈdʒɛnt^əlmən/ noun ( -men)

1. a man regarded as having qualities of refinement associated with a good family
2. a man who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
3. a polite name for a man
4. the personal servant of a gentleman (esp in the phrase gentleman's gentleman)

ˈgentlemanly adjective

ˈgentlemanliness noun