genteel
/dʒɛnˈtiːl/adjective
Overly polite and refined in manner, often in a way that seems artificial or old-fashioned.
Example sentences
- “The tea room had a genteel atmosphere, with lace tablecloths and hushed voices.”
- “She grew up in a genteel family that dressed for dinner every night.”
Now almost always ironic, mocking strained refinement. 'Genteel poverty' is the classic phrase: keeping up appearances on too little money.