genteel /d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/ adjective4 •Polite and well-mannered. •Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.Genteel America was handicapped by meagerness of soul, thinness of temper, paucity of talent. — 1976 •Stylish or elegant. •Aristocratic. formsgenteeler · more genteel · genteelest · most genteel