adj. Function: adjective
1 having characteristics or qualities befitting the upper classes FF1C; in those days croquet was a very genteel sport FF1E; FF1C; his manner was perfectly genteel FF1E;
Synonyms: cultivated, cultured, distingué, polished, refined, urbane, well-bred
Related Words: 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 Words: 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 FF1C; a shy genteel girl terrified of blundering socially FF1E;
Synonyms: affected, la-di-da, ||lardy-dardy, mincing, pretentious, stilted, too-too; compare PRECIOUS 4 , PRIM 1
Related Words: 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 Words: narrow; intolerant, uncharitable; confined, insular, parochial, provincial
Idioms: nasty nice
Contrasted Words: charitable, tolerant, understanding; broad-minded, easy, relaxed