gentlemen

A gentleman is typically defined as a man who treats others with courtesy, respect, and integrity. Historically, the term carried connotations of breeding, class, or lineage, but in contemporary use it more often signals behavior and character than ancestry.

The concept originated in medieval and early modern England. It described men who were not peers but who possessed means, education, and the habit of civility. Over time, etiquette manuals and social codes codified expectations for dress, speech, and conduct, tying the idea of a gentleman to refined manners, restraint, and responsible behavior.

In modern usage, a gentleman is expected to act with consideration for others, demonstrate honesty, and show self-control in public and private life. Professional contexts often link gentlemanly conduct to fairness, courtesy, and respect for boundaries and consent, alongside straightforward communication and reliability.

The phrase appears in everyday language, as in "ladies and gentlemen" or "gentleman’s agreement." Some critics argue that the term is gendered or elitist and may exclude people who do not fit traditional standards of breeding or class. Cultural variations produce different formulations of the same ideal of courteous masculine behavior.