silk-stocking

A woman in a silk-stocking district attends a formal garden party.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Wealthy and aristocratic: "silk-stocking" describes someone who is rich, elegant, and belonging to the upper class, especially in American English.
   • Fashionably dressed: It also refers to a person who is well-dressed, stylish, and follows current fashions.

2. Noun:

   • A member of the wealthy upper class: "silk-stocking" can be used as a noun to refer to a person from a rich or aristocratic background.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • He comes from a silk-stocking family that has lived in the same mansion for generations. (Describes a family that is wealthy and aristocratic.)
  • The silk-stocking guests at the gala wore designer gowns and tuxedos. (Refers to wealthy and fashionable attendees.)

• Noun:

  • The club was founded by a group of silk-stockings who controlled the city's politics. (Refers to rich and influential people.)

Advanced Usage

• "silk-stocking district": A neighborhood or area where wealthy, upper-class people live.

  • They moved to the silk-stocking district on the hill, where all the old money families reside. (An affluent neighborhood.)

• "silk-stocking politics": Political activity or influence dominated by the wealthy elite.

  • The election was seen as a battle between silk-stocking politics and working-class interests. (Politics controlled by the rich.)

Variants and Related Words

• Silk-stockinged (adj): wearing silk stockings; used metaphorically to mean wealthy or refined.
  • The silk-stockinged ladies of the society luncheon discussed charity work. (Wealthy and elegant women.)

Synonyms

• Aristocratic: relating to the highest social class.
• Patrician: belonging to the noble or upper class.
• Blue-blooded: of noble birth.
• Well-heeled: wealthy and well-off.

Related Idioms

• Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth: To be born into a wealthy family.

  • He never had to work hard; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, a true silk-stocking. (He inherited wealth and status.)

• The upper crust: The highest social class.

  • Only the upper crust, the silk-stockings of the town, were invited to the ball. (The elite of society.)