A gent is short for gentleman, a term for a man who behaves with courtesy, consideration, and good manners. When someone calls a person a real gent, they mean he treats others with respect and kindness. A gent holds the door open for people carrying packages, speaks politely even when annoyed, and keeps his promises.

However, “gent” doesn't always have the connotations that “gentleman” does. It can also be a simple way to refer to a man or a group of men, like “ladies and gents, please take your seats.”