aristocrat

noun

aris·​to·​crat ə-ˈri-stə-ˌkrat 

a-;

ˈa-rə-stə-

1

: a member of an aristocracy

especially : noble

an aristocrat by birth

2

a

: one who has the bearing and viewpoint typical of the aristocracy

b

: one who favors aristocracy

3

: one believed to be superior of its kind

the aristocrat of Southern resorts

—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.

Synonyms

• blue blood
• gentle
• gentleperson
• noble
• patrician

Examples of aristocrat in a Sentence

could trace his lineage to an English aristocrat of the 17th century

Recent Examples on the Web

The protagonist is a wealthy English aristocrat who is particularly insufferable. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 25 Oct. 2024

This Dracula is an aristocrat; his cultured nature and Old World legacy add a layer of sophisticated menace to the bloodsucker. —James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

In 1999 the Labor government of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair evicted most of the more than 750 hereditary peers from the Lords, though to avoid an aristocrats’ rebellion, 92 were allowed to remain temporarily. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Palo has many churches brimming with ecclesiastical art; like the Baroque Chiesa del Purgatorio, originally built for the parish’s aristocrats, according to Angela Coscia, a local culture expert. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see aristocracy

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aristocrat

noun

aris·​to·​crat ə-ˈris-tə-ˌkrat 

a-;

ˈar-ə-stə-

1

: a member of an aristocracy

2

: a person who has habits and ideas like those of the aristocracy

aristocratic

ə-ˌris-tə-ˈkrat-ik

a-ˌris-tə-

ˌar-ə-stə-

adjective

aristocratically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb