upper-class

1 of 2

adjective

up·​per-class ˌə-pər-ˈklas 

-ˈkläs

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the upper class

upper class

2 of 2

noun

: a social class occupying a position above the middle class and having the highest status in a society

Synonyms

Adjective

• aristocratic
• blue-blooded
• genteel
• gentle
• grand
• great
• highborn
• highbred
• noble
• patrician
• silk-stocking
• upper-crust
• wellborn

Noun

• aristocracy
• elite
• gentility
• gentlefolk
• gentlefolks
• gentry
• nobility
• patriciate
• quality
• upper crust

Examples of upper-class in a Sentence

Adjective

upper-class boys who had an entrenched sense of entitlement

Noun

a popular pastime among the upper classes

a member of the upper class

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Williamson moves through an endless parade of squalid apartments (as well as higher-end residences where upper-class participants in the heroin ring at the movie’s center live), each of which has its own unique character. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025

However, news of Cape May's beautiful setting spread to the upper-class circles in New York, Philadephia, and Washington, D.C., and by the mid-19th century, Cape May became a major seaside resort destination. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025

Noun

Ellis, 28, was damned for shooting David Blakely, her physically abusive, upper class race car driver lover. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025

But the French upper class, either idealists or simply oblivious, believed their beautiful capital would remain unsullied. —Ruth Peltason, airmail.news, 24 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upper-class

• candlemas
• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras

Kids Definition

upper class

noun

: the highest class in society

upper-class adjective