aristocrat
noun
Southern Living
Did you know?
Since aristos means "best" in Greek, ancient Greeks such as Plato and Aristotle used the word aristocracy to mean a system of rule by the best people—that is, those who deserved to rule because of their intelligence and moral excellence. But this kind of "best" soon became something you could inherit from your parents. The United States has no formal aristocracy—no noble titles such as baron or marquis that stay in the family—but certain American families have achieved an almost aristocratic status because of the wealth they've held onto for generations.
Examples of aristocrat in a Sentence
Devan Díaz, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
The leaders of the French Revolution faced a failing regime that was burdened by debt and increasingly unpopular—and not just with those who suffered from its inequalities but also among the aristocrats who had benefited from it.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
But far and away the highlight was Mikey Day’s British aristocrat Lord Gaga, husband of Lady.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
Who is Lord Ivar Mountbatten? Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 61, is a British aristocrat and geologist from London best known as the second cousin of King Charles III.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aristocrat
Cite this Entry
“Aristocrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocrat. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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aristocrat
noun
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