GENTLEMANLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does gentlemanly mean? 

• GENTLEMANLY (adjective)
  The adjective GENTLEMANLY has 1 sense:

1. befitting a man of good breeding

  Familiarity information: GENTLEMANLY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GENTLEMANLY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Befitting a man of good breeding

Synonyms:

gentlemanlike; gentlemanly

Context example:

gentlemanly behavior

Similar:

refined ((used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel)

Derivation:

gentleman (a man of refinement)

 Context examples 

Very retiring and gentlemanly he was.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun; I'm sure we work hard enough to earn it, cried Jo, examining the heels of her shoes in a gentlemanly manner.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

A very gentlemanly man, Mrs. Henry Spiker's brother, Mr. Copperfield.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

As he stepped into the circle of yellow light thrown by the lantern she saw that he was a person of gentlemanly bearing, dressed in a grey suit of tweeds, with a cloth cap. He wore gaiters, and carried a heavy stick with a knob to it.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Jo in maroon, with a stiff, gentlemanly linen collar, and a white chrysanthemum or two for her only ornament.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

For corn, said Mrs. Micawber argumentatively, as I have repeatedly said to Mr. Micawber, may be gentlemanly, but it is not remunerative.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She shook hands in a gentlemanly manner, but Amy kissed both the aunts, and the girls departed, leaving behind them the impression of shadow and sunshine, which impression caused Aunt March to say, as they vanished...

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Mr. Spenlow seemed quite cowed by the gentlemanly sternness of Miss Murdstone's manner, and deprecated her severity with a conciliatory little wave of his hand.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Meg was too much absorbed in her private and particular John to care for any other lords of creation, and Beth too shy to do more than peep at them and wonder how Amy dared to order them about so, but Jo felt quite in her own element, and found it very difficult to refrain from imitating the gentlemanly attitudes, phrases, and feats, which seemed more natural to her than the decorums prescribed for young ladies.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I am aware, my dear Mr. Copperfield, pursued Mrs. Micawber, that I am now about to cast my lot among strangers; and I am also aware that the various members of my family, to whom Mr. Micawber has written in the most gentlemanly terms, announcing that fact, have not taken the least notice of Mr. Micawber's communication.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)