How to pronounce genteel
Say it like jen-TEEL. Genteel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce genteel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- jen
- TEEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Genteel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- jenKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- TEELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of genteel
American and British speakers say genteel in essentially the same way: /dʒɛnˈtil/ in the US and /dʒɛnˈtiːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: jen-TEEL.
What does genteel mean?
- Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.
- Polite and well-mannered.
- Stylish or elegant.
Where does genteel come from?
Borrowed from French gentil (“gentile”), from Latin gentīlis (“of or belonging to the same people or nation”), from gēns (“clan; tribe; people, family”) + adjective suffix -īlis (“-ile”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with genteel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of genteel.
Questions about saying genteel
How do you pronounce genteel?
Say jen-TEEL. The American pronunciation is /dʒɛnˈtil/. In British English it is /dʒɛnˈtiːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in genteel?
Genteel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEEL). Broken into parts: jen · TEEL.
Do Americans and Brits say genteel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dʒɛnˈtil/ and the British form is /dʒɛnˈtiːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.