Definition

1. Noun:
   • Informal abbreviation of 'gentleman': A polite or formal term for a man, often used in casual or humorous contexts.
   • A boy or man: A general, informal term for a male person.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He's a real gent, always holding the door open for others. (He is a true gentleman.)
  • I met a very helpful gent at the information desk. (I met a very helpful man.)
  • "Evening, gents," said the bartender as the two men entered. (A casual greeting to male customers.)

Advanced Usage

• "A gent of the old school": Refers to a man who embodies traditional, courteous manners.
  • My grandfather was a gent of the old school, always impeccably dressed and polite.
• Used in direct address in informal, often British, contexts to a group of men.
  • "This way, gents, your table is ready."

Variants and Related Words

• Gentleman (n): The full, more formal term from which "gent" is derived. It implies courtesy, honor, and good breeding.
  • He conducted himself as a perfect gentleman.
• Genteel (adj): (Often archaic or humorous) Polite, refined, or respectable, sometimes excessively so.
  • She lived in genteel poverty.
• Gentility (n): Social superiority as demonstrated by polite and respectable manners.
  • An air of faded gentility surrounded the old mansion.

Synonyms

• Fellow: An informal term for a man or boy.
• Bloke: (Chiefly British, informal) A man.
• Chap: (Chiefly British, informal) A man or boy.

Related Phrases

• "Ladies and gents": A common, slightly informal way to address an audience or group, equivalent to "ladies and gentlemen."
  • "Ladies and gents, the show will begin in five minutes."

Related Idioms

• "A gent's agreement": A humorous or informal play on "gentleman's agreement," meaning an agreement based on trust and honor rather than a legal contract.
  • We sealed the deal with a handshake—a proper gent's agreement.

Noun

1. port city in northwestern Belgium and industrial center; famous for cloth industry
2. a boy or man
   • that chap is your host
   • there's a fellow at the door
   • he's a likable cuss
   • he's a good bloke
3. informal abbreviation of `gentleman'