aristocratic
/,æristə'krətik/ Cách viết khác : (aristocratical) /,æristə'krətikəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy: Describing someone or something that is part of, or has the qualities associated with, the highest social class, typically one with hereditary titles or high status.
- Having refined tastes, manners, or appearance: Suggesting an elegance, sophistication, or superiority often associated with noble birth.
Usage
The word "aristocratic" is used to describe people, families, behaviors, appearances, or tastes that are typical of or suitable for the aristocracy. It often carries connotations of refinement, exclusivity, and sometimes aloofness.
Examples
- Describing a family or lineage:
- She comes from an old aristocratic family with a long history.
- The aristocratic Bostonians were known for their wealth and influence.
- Describing appearance or manner:
- He had an aristocratic bearing, standing very straight and tall.
- Her fine, aristocratic features were often remarked upon.
- Describing tastes or style:
- Their home was decorated with aristocratic simplicity and taste.
- He has rather patrician (or aristocratic) tastes in art and wine.
Advanced Usage
- Used to imply superiority beyond social class: Sometimes used metaphorically to describe something of superior quality or elegance, as if it belonged to a higher order.
- The software has an aristocratic disdain for unnecessary features, focusing only on core functionality.
- Used with a critical tone: Can be used to suggest snobbery, elitism, or being out of touch.
- His aristocratic detachment from the problems of ordinary people made him unpopular.
Variants and Related Words
- Aristocrat (noun): A member of the aristocracy.
- The duke was a true aristocrat.
- Aristocracy (noun): The highest class in certain societies, typically comprising people of noble birth holding hereditary titles and offices.
- The aristocracy held most of the land and power.
- Aristocratically (adverb): In an aristocratic manner.
- She nodded aristocratically, acknowledging the introduction.
Synonyms
- Noble: Of high birth or rank.
- Patrician: (Especially in ancient Rome) belonging to the aristocracy; often used more broadly to mean aristocratic.
- Blue-blooded: Having aristocratic ancestry.
- Highborn: Born of a noble family.
- Genteel: Polite, refined, or respectable, sometimes in an affected way.
Antonyms
- Common: Of the ordinary people.
- Plebeian: Of the common people (especially in ancient Rome).
- Lowborn: Not of noble birth.
- Proletarian: Relating to the working class.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To the manor born: Behaving in a way considered natural for someone of high social status, as if born to it. This phrase is related to the concept of aristocratic ease.
- She handled the diplomatic crisis with a calm assurance that suggested she was to the manor born.
Adjective
- belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy
- an aristocratic family
- aristocratic Bostonians
- aristocratic government
- a blue family
- blue blood
- the blue-blooded aristocracy
- of gentle blood
- patrician landholders of the American South
- aristocratic bearing
- aristocratic features
- patrician tastes