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

With its then-progressive depictions and storylines — an upper-class Black couple, a mixed-race pairing — and one of TV’s catchiest theme songs, the All in the Family spinoff broke barriers while attracting a massive and diverse audience. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024

Boston was a heavily white city at the time, and O’Grady said her class-conscious parents didn’t relate to many of the African Americans there, including upper-class Black Bostonians. —Jillian Steinhauer, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024

Noun

But putting upper class white people on edge is the satirical aim here, as is Chloe Fineman’s politically correct mom. —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 15 Dec. 2024

During the Victorian era, Halloween was acquired by the upper class as a matchmaking holiday for young women. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

upper class

noun

: the highest class in society

upper-class adjective