gentleman

Everyday

1. A gentleman is a polite word for a man. tree →
2. A gentleman is a man who is kind, honest and has good manners. tree →
3. (old-fashioned) A gentleman was a rich man from a high-class family who did not need to work. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life people say «this gentleman is waiting» as a polite way to talk about a man, and speeches start «Ladies and gentlemen». The «Gents» sign shows the men's toilet in the UK. In stories a true gentleman is brave and kind. Phrases: ladies and gentlemen, a real gentleman, a perfect gentleman, the gents.

Examples

• Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our school play. tree →
• The gentleman at the front would like a coffee. tree →
• He held the door open like a real gentleman. tree →
• An old gentleman helped me find the bus stop. tree →
• In the story, the gentleman lived in a big house with servants. (old-fashioned) tree →
• The gents' toilet is down the corridor. tree →
• There were 12 ladies and 15 gentlemen, so 27 guests in all. tree →
• "Don't talk nonsense," replied the old gentleman. tree →

Note

Plural is «gentlemen» (not gentlemans). It is more polite than «man». The female pair is «lady» (ladies). In maths, «ladies and gentlemen» means add the two groups.