Meanings
adjectiveshabby-genteel (comparative more shabby-genteel, superlative most shabby-genteel)
comparative more shabby-genteel · superlative most shabby-genteel
- Keeping up or affecting an appearance of gentility, though actually shabby.
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectivetrying to maintain dignity and self respect despite shabbiness
Similar
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
APA
shabby-genteel. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shabby-genteel
MLA
“shabby-genteel.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shabby-genteel. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “shabby-genteel,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shabby-genteel.
Source: shabby-genteel on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.