Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy: The word "blue-blooded" describes a person, family, or their attributes as being of noble or aristocratic lineage, often implying high social status, refined manners, or a long history of privilege.

Usage

• The adjective "blue-blooded" is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb). It often carries connotations of tradition, exclusivity, and sometimes, being out of touch with ordinary people.
• It is a compound adjective formed from "blue blood," an idiom referring to noble birth.

Examples

• Attributive use:
  • She comes from a blue-blooded family with a centuries-old title.
  • The university was traditionally the domain of blue-blooded young men.
• Predicative use:
  • Despite their wealth, they were not considered blue-blooded by the old aristocracy.
  • His manners were so refined that he seemed blue-blooded.

Advanced Usage

• "blue-blooded aristocracy": A common collocation emphasizing the hereditary noble class.
  • The country's politics were long dominated by the blue-blooded aristocracy.
• Used metaphorically to describe elite groups in non-aristocratic contexts (e.g., in business, academia), though this is an extended use.
  • He was part of the blue-blooded elite of Wall Street, having attended all the right schools.

Variants and Related Words

• Blue blood (noun phrase): Noble or aristocratic birth or descent.
  • She married him for his blue blood, not his money.
• Aristocratic (adj): Of the aristocracy; grand and refined. A close synonym.
• Patrician (adj): Aristocratic, noble. Often implies a sense of dignity and high cultural taste.
• High-born (adj): Of noble birth. A more literal synonym.

Synonyms

• Aristocratic: Of or belonging to the aristocracy.
• Noble: Belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status.
• Patrician: Aristocratic; characteristic of the ancient Roman patricians or similar high-ranking families.
• High-born: Born into a family of high social rank.

Antonyms

• Common: Of ordinary social rank.
• Plebeian: Of the common people (often contrasted with patrician).
• Low-born: Born into a family of low social rank.

Idioms and Phrases

• Blue blood: The idiom from which "blue-blooded" is derived, meaning noble birth.
  • The rumor was that he had blue blood running through his veins.
• To the manor born: An idiom (from Shakespeare) meaning naturally suited to an aristocratic or luxurious lifestyle, often used similarly to "blue-blooded."
  • With her elegant poise, she behaved as if to the manor born.

Adjective

1. 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