aristocrat
noun
Southern Living
Did you know?
Since aristos means "best" in Greek, ancient Greeks such as Plato and Aristotle used the word aristocracy to mean a system of rule by the best people—that is, those who deserved to rule because of their intelligence and moral excellence. But this kind of "best" soon became something you could inherit from your parents. The United States has no formal aristocracy—no noble titles such as baron or marquis that stay in the family—but certain American families have achieved an almost aristocratic status because of the wealth they've held onto for generations.
Examples of aristocrat in a Sentence
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
Who is Lord Ivar Mountbatten? Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 61, is a British aristocrat and geologist from London best known as the second cousin of King Charles III.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
That’s my preferred interpretation, because the aristocrats and other elites in her novels are absurd creatures to begin with.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And as tapestry popularity continued to rise, some Kings and Nobels used them for comfort during travels, while other aristocrats displayed them as symbols of status and wealth.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aristocrat
Cite this Entry
“Aristocrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocrat. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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aristocrat
noun
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