English Etymology From genteel + -ism. Noun genteelism (countable and uncountable, plural genteelisms) Genteel behaviour. (countable) A nicer word used instead of a vulgar or distasteful word Synonym: euphemism 2004, Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty […], 1st US edition, New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN:Were such cheerful genteelisms any use?Wikiwand - on Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.