adjective
1.
having characteristics or qualities befitting the upper classes
in those days croquet was a very genteel sport
his manner was perfectly genteel
Synonyms: cultivated, cultured, distingué, polished, refined, urbane, well-bred
Related Word: elegant, fashionable, graceful, stylish; chivalrous, gentlemanly, knightly, ladylike, noble; mannerly, well-mannered
Contrasted words: coarse, common, crude, ill-bred, rough, rude, uncouth, uncultured, unpolished, vulgar
Antonyms: ungenteel
2.
Synonyms: civil 2, courteous, mannerly, polite, well-mannered
Related Word: well-behaved; aristocratic, cultured
Contrasted words: crude, discourteous, inconsiderate, rough, rude
3.
involving or excessively preoccupied with the airs and forms of middle-class or upper-class proprieties
a shy genteel girl terrified of blundering socially
Synonyms: affected, la-di-da, ||lardy-dardy, mincing, pretentious, stilted, too-too; compare precious 4, prim 1
Related Word: artificial, formal, highfalutin
Contrasted words: cultured, genuine, honest, refined; gracious, polished; gentlemanly, ladylike
4.
Synonyms: prim 1, prig, priggish, prissy, prudish, puritanical, straitlaced, stuffy, tight-laced, Victorian
Related Word: narrow; intolerant, uncharitable; confined, insular, parochial, provincial
Idioms: nasty nice
Contrasted words: charitable, tolerant, understanding; broad-minded, easy, relaxed