GentryThe upper social class, especially landowners or wealthy families. usuallyIn most cases; commonly but not always. refers to the upper class or the most powerful people in a society. It is a formal word, often used in historicalRelated to the past and to events or times long ago. or literary contexts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈdʒɛntri/
Easy pronunciation: JEN-tree (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Used here as a noun meaning the upper class or ruling class.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Gentry Meaning
the upper class or ruling class
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the most powerful members of a society
Example: In that era, the local gentry controlled much of the land and political power.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- aristocracy — A strong synonym when gentry means the upper or ruling class.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Gentry Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- aristocracy
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse gentry with general polite society; in this word's main sense, it refers to the upper or powerful class.
- It is not the same as 'gentleman' or 'people' in general.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gentry mean?
Gentry means the upper or most powerful class in a society, especially in historical or formal writing.
What is a synonym for gentry?
A strong synonym is aristocracy, especially when gentry means the ruling or upper class.
Is gentry a common modern word?
It is still used, but mostly in formal, historical, or literary contexts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.