blue blood

noun

1

ˈblü-ˈbləd

: membership in a noble or socially prominent family

2

-ˌbləd

: a member of a noble or socially prominent family

blue-blooded

ˈblü-ˈblə-dəd 

adjective

Synonyms

• aristocrat
• gentle
• gentleperson
• noble
• patrician

Example Sentences

a woman of blue blood

This is where the city's blue bloods like to gather.

Recent Examples on the Web

Considering blue blood programs like Alabama and Clemson are frequently in the hunt for a spot, TCU making the cut is an outstanding accomplishment. —Dallas News, 29 Dec. 2022

Another conference commissioner was openly courting that blue blood with the intent of building a super conference. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2022

While Krzyzewski has built his program with blue chip recruits befitting a blue blood, Adams’ first team at Tech is only blue around the collar. —Dallas News, 21 Mar. 2022

Kentucky isn't the only blue blood Lunardi projects will be in Dayton; North Carolina is in the same boat right now. —Ryan Black, The Courier-Journal, 9 Feb. 2023

Defeating Georgia, the most successful program of the last two seasons, would skyrocket TCU’s program into an elite category of blue blood schools. —Dallas News, 2 Jan. 2023

Abe was a political blue blood who was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. —Dallas News, 8 July 2022

Do you Clemson’s 2019 playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl established Clemson as a blue blood program in the CFP era that began five years prior? —Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2022

Now, first-year coach Brent Venables is feeling the kind of spotlight generated by a blue blood falling short of expectations — and only a win or two or three will dim it. —Dallas News, 7 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1