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shabby-genteel

/ˈʃæb.i dʒɛnˈtiːl/

1 entry

adjective

/ˈʃæb.i dʒɛnˈtiːl/C2formalbritishobsolete
  • ruУстаревший термин, описывающий кого-то или что-то, что пытается сохранить видимость благородства или респектабельности, несмотря на потрепанность или бедность.

An old-fashioned term describing someone or something that tries to maintain an appearance of gentility or respectability despite being shabby or impoverished.

  1. Trying to maintain dignity despite povertyC2formalbritish

    Describing someone who is poor or shabby but still tries to appear respectable and dignified.

    ruБлагородно-обветшалый

    • The old professor lived in a shabby-genteel apartment, always wearing a patched but clean suit.
    • She had a shabby-genteel air about her, as if she was once wealthy but had fallen on hard times.
    • The shabby-genteel neighborhood had faded Victorian houses with peeling paint but neatly trimmed hedges.

    Synonymsdignifiedgenteelrefinedrespectable

    Antonymsaffluentopulentprosperousrichwealthy

Forms
  • more shabby-genteel comparative form
  • most shabby-genteel superlative form