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

Justin comes from an upper-class family; the Edwards live in a spacious hilltop house with a pool and spend a month every summer on Martha’s Vineyard. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 8 May 2025

When the flamboyant Henry Paget arrives in 1890s North Wales from France to claim his aristocratic inheritance, his theatrical flair and defiant eccentricities send shockwaves through the upper-class elite, much to the amusement of the local townspeople. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 May 2025

Noun

Jason Lipshutz: Yes, because Playboi Carti has leapt into the upper class of hip-hop. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2025

Our protagonist, Bernard Marx, is a sleep psychologist and an Alpha, a member of the upper class of society. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 14 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