upper-class

1 of 2

adjective

up·​per-class ˌə-pər-ˈklas How to pronounce upper-class (audio)
-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

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
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.
Adjective
This reflected the taste of upper-class urbanites, but snails were still eaten in the eastern provinces of France. Garritt C. Van Dyk, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025 Sargent’s subjects were part of a wave of wealthy American women who married into upper-class British families, infusing new money in return for status in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Claire Moses, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
Pandering to the desires of the upper class, MAHA pushes products and services that are out of reach for the average American. Aron Solomon, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 Jason Lipshutz: Yes, because Playboi Carti has leapt into the upper class of hip-hop. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upper-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upper-class was in 1814

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upper-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upper-class. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

upper class

noun
: the highest class in society
upper-class adjective
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!