déclassé

adjective

dé·​clas·​sé ˌdā-ˌkla-ˈsā How to pronounce déclassé (audio)
-ˌklä-
1
: fallen or lowered in class, rank, or social position
2
: of inferior status

Examples of déclassé in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As prevalent as garlic is in American cooking today, for much of the 20th century it was considered an exotic, even declasse, ingredient. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Dec. 2022 In China, Pabst beer, which is cheap and declasse stateside, is reformulated as Blue Ribbon 1844 and sells for roughly $50 a bottle. Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'déclassé.' 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

French, from past participle of déclasser to declass

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of déclassé was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near déclassé

Cite this Entry

“Déclassé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9class%C3%A9. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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