aristocratic

adjective

aris·​to·​crat·​ic ə-ˌri-stə-ˈkra-tik 

(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

: snobbish

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 

(ˌ)a-ˌri-stə-, 

ˌa-rə-stə-

adverb

Synonyms of aristocratic

• arrogant
• snobbish
• elitist
• snooty
• snobby
• ritzy
• snotty

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

The Village Photographer Madeleine de Sinéty sloughed off her aristocratic upbringing and spent her life capturing small-town life in Brittany and Maine. — The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

Around them, an aristocratic winemaker defines his legacy, a legendary maître d’hôtel seeks his heir, and a reverent wine critic pursues the sublime. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026

By the 20th century, summer excursions to the Highlands were a fixture of the aristocratic calendar, with transatlantic visitors soon joining the English to shoot, fish, and feign indifference to horizontal rain. — Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

In contrast to Marsh Farm, Royal Lodge is a true aristocratic mansion. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing aristocratic

• anti-aristocratic

Rhymes for aristocratic

• adiabatic
• asymptomatic
• axiomatic
• diagrammatic
• diaphragmatic
• electrostatic
• endolymphatic
• epigrammatic
• homeostatic
• idiomatic
• magnetostatic
• melodramatic