genteel

Affectedly well-bred

Genteel describes refined manners, elegant style, or upper-class respectability—often with an undertone of pretension or faded grandeur.

A genteel accent suggests good breeding.

Genteel poverty is the condition of maintaining appearances despite financial decline.

The word can be sincere praise for genuine refinement or gentle mockery of those who affect it: She found the genteel atmosphere stifling.

mannered

courteous

Showing respectful consideration

graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
mannerlyHaving good social conduct
decorousSocially appropriate, dignified

civil · polite · etiquette · propriety · deportment · ladylike · well-bred · proper · respectful · dignified

refined

cultivated

Improved through nurture

polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
tastefulAesthetically appropriate and pleasing

elegant · cultured · discerning · aesthetic · delicate · subtle · nuanced · fastidious · rarefied · sensibility

affected

pretentious

Falsely grand or important

preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
prissyAffectedly proper and fussy
primAffectedly proper and stiff

prudish · squeamish · mincing · affected · stuffy · stiff · strait-laced · old-fashioned · fussy · quaint

aristocratic

nobility

Titled ruling class

highbornOf aristocratic birth
bluebloodPerson of noble birth
patricianHighborn Roman elite

peerage · manor · estate · lineage · ancestry · hereditary · debutante · aristocracy · landed · pedigree

Categories

mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
elegantchic, stylish, refined, tasteful, elegant
royal courtking, queen, prince, princess, crown
Soft G Wordsgel, gem, gene, genie, genius
refinedrefined, polite, proper, gracious, elegant
arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty

Opposites

refinement and manners

genteelvulgar

Crude or indecent

crude · coarse · uncouth · rude · boorish

social class and breeding

genteelill-bred

Lacking good manners

plebeian · uncultured · common · lowborn · low-class

cultural sophistication

genteelunsophisticated

Lacking refinement or complexity

uncultured · unpolished · philistine · provincial · rustic

Phrases

genteel behaviorMannered, respectable conduct

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G