gentleman

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A man who behaves politely, shows respect, and treats other people with courtesy.

   Grammar: Countable; the plural is the irregular gentlemen.

   Patterns

   • a true gentleman
   • act like a gentleman
   • a perfect gentleman

   He gave up his seat like a gentleman.

   A gentleman admits when he is wrong and apologizes.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   A polite or formal word for a man, especially when speaking to a group as gentlemen.

   Grammar: Formal and vocative in speech; the plural gentlemen often addresses an audience: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

   Patterns

   • ladies and gentlemen
   • this gentleman
   • the gentleman in the blue coat

   Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.

   Could the gentleman in the blue coat please come forward?

Word forms

Common combinations

ladies and gentlemen

Ladies and gentlemen, the show will begin shortly.

a true gentleman

Everyone agrees that Mr. Ellis is a true gentleman.

act like a gentleman

Act like a gentleman and offer her your umbrella.

Synonyms and how they differ

man

Neutral; gentleman adds courtesy or a more formal, respectful tone.

sir

Used in address rather than as a general countable noun for a courteous man.

nobleman

Old-fashioned and social-rank based; gentleman today usually describes manners, not birth.

Opposites

Word family

gentlemanly adjective

Showing the courteous behavior expected of a gentleman.

gentle adjective

Kind, mild, or soft in manner; related historically but not the noun form.

Commonly confused: gentleman or gentle? gentleman or gentlemen?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “gentleman”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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