Definition

1. Noun:
   • The highest social class: The group of people who hold the most wealth, power, and prestige in a society; the aristocracy or elite.

Usage

• The term "upper crust" is used to refer collectively to the most privileged and influential members of society. It often implies old money, inherited status, and exclusive social circles.
• It is typically used in a descriptive or sometimes slightly informal or ironic context.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The charity gala was attended only by the city's upper crust.
  • He was born into the upper crust but chose a life of public service.

Advanced Usage

• "the upper crust of [something]": Used to denote the most elite or successful part of a specific group or field, not just general society.
  • She quickly rose to become part of the upper crust of the legal profession.

Variants and Related Words

• Upper-class (adj): Belonging to or characteristic of the social elite.
  • They lived in an upper-class neighborhood.
• Elite (n): A select group that is superior in terms of ability, qualities, wealth, or social status. (This is a more general synonym.)
• Aristocracy (n): The highest class in certain societies, typically comprising people of noble birth holding hereditary titles. (This is a more formal and specific term.)

Synonyms

• The elite
• High society
• The aristocracy
• The gentry
• The privileged class

Idioms

• Upper crust itself functions as an idiomatic noun phrase.

Noun

1. the class occupying the highest position in the social hierarchy