/ ˈdʒentlmən; NAmE / noun ( pl. -men / -mən; NAmE /)
1.
[ C ] a man who is polite and well educated, who has excellent manners and always behaves well :
Thank you—you're a real gentleman.
He's no gentleman!
—compare lady
2.
[ C , usually pl. ] ( formal ) used to address or refer to a man, especially sb you do not know :
Ladies and gentlemen! Can I have your attention, please?
Gentlemen of the jury!
Can I help you, gentlemen?
There's a gentleman to see you.
HELP NOTE : In more informal speech, you could say:
Can I help you?
There's someone to see you.
3.
( NAmE ) used to address or refer to a male member of a legislature , for example the House of Representatives
4.
( old-fashioned ) a man from a high social class, especially one who does not need to work :
a country gentleman
a gentleman farmer (= one who owns a farm for pleasure, not as his main job)
•
IDIOMS
see leisure
For more information see the Cultural Guide
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense man of noble birth ): from gentle + man , translating Old French gentilz hom . In later use the term denoted a man of a good family (especially one entitled to a coat of arms) but not of the nobility.