upper-class
Definition
Adjective: 1. Occupying the highest socioeconomic position in a society: Belonging to or characteristic of the social group that has the greatest wealth, status, and power, typically through inherited wealth, high-ranking professions, or aristocratic lineage.
Usage
The adjective "upper-class" is used to describe people, families, lifestyles, institutions, or attributes associated with the highest social and economic stratum. It often implies distinctions in education, manners, wealth, and social connections.
Examples
- Adjective:
- She comes from an upper-class family with a long history in politics.
- The neighborhood is known for its upper-class residents and luxurious estates.
- His upper-class accent was immediately noticeable.
Advanced Usage
- "upper-class" as a modifier: It is commonly used before a noun to specify the social category.
- They attended an upper-class boarding school.
- Contrast with other social strata: Often used in sociological or economic discussions to contrast with "middle-class" and "lower-class" or "working-class."
Variants and Related Words
- Upper class (noun): The social group itself.
- The party was attended mostly by the upper class.
- Upper-crust (adjective, informal): A synonym emphasizing the highest or most elite segment of the upper class.
- It was an upper-crust gathering at the country club.
Synonyms
- Aristocratic: Of the nobility or highest class.
- Wealthy: Having a great deal of money, possessions, or resources.
- Elite: A select group that is superior in terms of ability, qualities, or social status.
- High-society: Relating to fashionable and wealthy people.
Antonyms
- Lower-class: Occupying the lowest socioeconomic position.
- Working-class: Earning money through manual or industrial labor.
- Middle-class: Occupying an intermediate socioeconomic position.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Old money: Wealth that has been inherited over generations, often associated with the traditional upper class.
- The family's old money status was evident in their discreet lifestyle.
- Social stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social classes (e.g., upper, middle, lower).
Adjective
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occupying the highest socioeconomic position in a society
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