better-to-do

1 of 2

adjective

bet·​ter-to-do

: in prosperous economic circumstances : better off

many of the better-to-do urban Frenchmen acquire homes in the country

—S. K. Padover

better-to-do

2 of 2

noun

bet·​ter-to-do

plural better-to-do

: one who is better-to-do

the better-to-do on whom the burden of the expense of the liberal program had fallen

—C. L. Jones

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

intended as comparative of well-to-do

First Known Use

Adjective

1860, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1875, in the meaning defined above

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