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

Mickey 17’s examination of the cruelty of social stratification immediately brings to mind the Oscar-winning Parasite, while its depiction of the sexualized perversity of upper-class excess has hints of Snowpiercer. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025

Two upper-class wives, their husbands away for the day, share a few toasts to their pre-marital dalliances—with the same man, who just may be en route from France to visit. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025

Noun

In the past, tennis somehow got the reputation in the U.S. of being a more upper class homogeneous sport. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

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

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