aristocratic

adjective

aris·​to·​crat·​ic ə-ˌri-stə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce aristocratic (audio)
(ˌ)a-ˌri-stə-,
ˌa-rə-stə-
1
: belonging to, having the qualities of, or favoring aristocracy
an aristocratic family
aristocratic titles
2
a
: socially exclusive
an aristocratic neighborhood
b
3
: notably superior or excellent
In season she does an aristocratic lobster and asparagus salad with curry oil.R. W. Apple, Jr.
aristocratically
ə-ˌri-stə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce aristocratic (audio)
(ˌ)a-ˌri-stə-
ˌa-rə-stə-
adverb

Examples of aristocratic in a Sentence

the restaurant's cuisine is truly superb, but the maître d's aristocratic demeanor is a bit much an impoverished dowager who never lets people forget about her aristocratic origins
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Emigrating is the first thing she’s ever accomplished on her own, without Spencer or her aristocratic privilege to help her (at least, not that much). Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025 Maybe the aristocratic lifestyle has allowed Roquefort to luxuriate in gender apathy. Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 6 Mar. 2025 In 2015, aristocratic sisters Viola and Vera Arrivabene set out to reinvent the furlane and launched Vibi Venezia with a fresh take on the classic. Ian Malone, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025 Ali, on the other hand, is spot-on as a renowned classical pianist who goes on a tour of the Jim Crow South with a New York tough guy (Viggo Mortensen) and puts on aristocratic airs that belie his insecurities. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aristocratic

Word History

Etymology

Middle French aristocratique, from Medieval Latin aristocraticus, from Greek aristokratikos, from aristokratia

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aristocratic was in 1596

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aristocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocratic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aristocratic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!