low·er-class
ˌlō-ər-ˈklas 
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the lower class
2
: being an inferior or low-ranking specimen of its kind
a lower-class theater
: a social class occupying a position below the middle class and having the lowest status in a society
Synonyms
Examples of lower-class in a Sentence
Adjective
they were finally earning enough to get out of the lower-class tax bracket
Noun
a member of the lower class
Recent Examples on the Web
Cheryl Oestreicher, The Conversation, 20 June 2024
They were originally used as a way to disguise people from lower classes, so everyone could join in on the parties and events.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Feb. 2023
As the 20th century began, however, excess weight came to be associated with the lower classes and the poor, while slenderness became counterintuitively a sign of affluence and status.
—Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
Like many later Carnival celebrations, Venice’s affairs were marked by the widespread use of masks, which created a temporary feeling of equality between the ruling class and the lower classes.
—Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lower-class 
Noun
Most were lower class, from agrarian backgrounds, with little to no education or English language skills.
—Cheryl Oestreicher, The Conversation, 20 June 2024
They were originally used as a way to disguise people from lower classes, so everyone could join in on the parties and events.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Feb. 2023
As the 20th century began, however, excess weight came to be associated with the lower classes and the poor, while slenderness became counterintuitively a sign of affluence and status.
—Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
Like many later Carnival celebrations, Venice’s affairs were marked by the widespread use of masks, which created a temporary feeling of equality between the ruling class and the lower classes.
—Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lower-class
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lower-class.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lower-class
Cite this Entry
“Lower-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lower-class. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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