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 On the show, James plays Eddie Halstead, a member of a British aristocratic family who becomes a duke when his father suddenly dies. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Since the late seventh century, the government of the Japanese archipelago had established a bureau in charge of the well-being of aristocratic families and high-ranking members of the state bureaucracy. Alessandro Poletto, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2024 The other-worldly Borromean Islands, a short ferry ride from Stresa, most of them still owned by the aristocratic family of the same name, are must-sees, particularly Isola Bella with its palazzo and lavish gardens. Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The White Lotus star Theo James has to extricate his aristocratic family from the clutches of a criminal underworld in the official trailer for The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie’s gangster romp for Netflix based on the Hollywood director’s 2019 film of the same name. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 His bride, Ann Charteris, was aristocratic and reckless. James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2024 Americans shouldn’t relegate French cuisine to the aristocratic. Jamie Schler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The book’s ironic title refers to the genteel behavior of aristocratic people who are, in reality, cynical, cruel and intolerant. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024 This type of aristocratic cooking was innovative, exotic and elaborate. Jamie Schler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aristocratic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near aristocratic

Cite this Entry

“Aristocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocratic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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