genteel

• Qualifie quelqu'un ou quelque chose de poli, raffiné et élégant, souvent d'une manière qui semble désuète ou exagérée.

Describes someone or something that is polite, refined, and elegant, often in a way that seems old-fashioned or exaggerated.

1. Polite and refinedC1formalbritish

   Characterized by polite, refined, and often old-fashioned manners, sometimes to an exaggerated degree.

   Distingué et raffiné

   • She maintained a genteel demeanor despite the chaos.
   • The hotel had a genteel, old-world charm.
   • His genteel manners were admired by the older generation.

   Synonymescivilcourteouscourtlycultureddecorouselegantgentlemanlygraciousladylikemannerlypolishedpoliteproperrefinedsophisticatedurbane

   Antonymesboorishcoarsecruderudeuncouthvulgar

2. Upper-class pretensionC2formalbritish

   Attempting to convey an impression of high social status or refinement, often in a way that seems artificial or outdated.

   Prétention bourgeoise

   • The party was full of genteel conversation about art and literature.
   • They lived in a genteel poverty, trying to keep up appearances.
   • Her genteel accent seemed out of place in the modern city.

   Synonymesaffectedostentatiouspretentioussnobbishtoffee-nosed

   Antonymescommonlowplebeianuncouthvulgar