What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nobleman
Example
The nobleman inherited his father's estate and title. [nobleman: noun]
Example
The king appointed several nobleman to his council. [nobleman: plural noun]
gentleman
Example
He is a true gentleman who always opens doors for others. [gentleman: noun]
Example
She was impressed by his gentlemanly behavior on their first date. [gentlemanly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gentleman is a more commonly used term than nobleman in everyday language. Gentleman is versatile and can be used to describe positive qualities in a man of any social class, while nobleman is less common and specifically refers to a man of the nobility or aristocracy.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nobleman and gentleman?
Nobleman is a more formal and archaic term than gentleman. While gentleman can be used in both formal and informal contexts, nobleman is typically reserved for more formal or historical contexts.