Definition

1. Noun:
   • The trait of condescending to those of lower social status: Snobbery is the characteristic of behaving as if you are better than other people, especially those you consider to be from a lower social class or with less education, taste, or knowledge.
   • Excessive pride in one's own tastes, knowledge, or status: It can also refer to an attitude of superiority based on one's refined tastes, exclusive interests, or perceived high standards.

Usage

• Snobbery is an uncountable noun used to describe a general attitude or behavior pattern.
• It is typically used in a negative, critical sense to condemn pretentious or elitist behavior.
• Common collocations include: , , , .

Examples

• Noun:
  • His snobbery made him look down on anyone who hadn't been to a private school.
  • There's a lot of snobbery in the art world about what constitutes "real" art.
  • She was tired of the snobbery surrounding organic food and expensive coffee.

Advanced Usage

• "Reverse snobbery": A form of snobbery where someone takes pride in rejecting things associated with high status, wealth, or sophistication, often favoring things considered simple or ordinary.
  • His insistence on only buying the cheapest beer was a form of reverse snobbery.
• "Inverted snobbery": Similar to reverse snobbery; a disdain for anything perceived as upper-class or refined.
  • There's an inverted snobbery in some circles that views classical music as elitist and boring.

Variants and Related Words

• Snob (n): A person with snobbish attitudes.
  • He's such a wine snob; he won't drink anything under $50 a bottle.
• Snobbish (adj): Having the characteristics of a snob; condescending.
  • Her snobbish remarks about the neighborhood were offensive.
• Snobbishly (adv): In a snobbish manner.
  • He sniffed snobbishly at the suggestion of eating at a chain restaurant.

Synonyms

• Elitism: The belief that a society or system should be led by an elite.
• Condescension: An attitude of patronizing superiority; disdain.
• Pretentiousness: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
• Haughtiness: The appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior and disdainful.

Antonyms

• Humility: A modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.
• Modesty: The quality of being unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities.
• Egalitarianism: The doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Idioms and Phrases

• "To be a victim of snobbery": To be treated with condescension or looked down upon.
  • She felt she was a victim of snobbery because she attended a state school.
• "Free from snobbery": Lacking pretentious or elitist attitudes.
  • The local pub was wonderfully free from snobbery; everyone was welcome.

Noun

1. the trait of condescending to those of lower social status