lower-class

1 of 2

adjective

low·​er-class ˌlō-ər-ˈklas How to pronounce lower-class (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the lower class
2
: being an inferior or low-ranking specimen of its kind
a lower-class theater

lower class

2 of 2

noun

: a social class occupying a position below the middle class and having the lowest status in a society

Examples of lower-class in a Sentence

Adjective they were finally earning enough to get out of the lower-class tax bracket Noun a member of the lower 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.
Noun
If you are downgraded to a lower class, you are entitled to a refund for the price difference. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 Unlike in England, there was no upper class and lower class. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025 To start way back at the beginning, the jewelry has had lasting appeal since ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire, when lower classes wore pierced bronze coins and the upper crust wore intricate coin medallions. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 28 Sep. 2025 Both Giulio, who comes from a Sicilian aristocratic family, and Ketty, who is more lower class, use lots of drugs — pot in particular. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lower-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lower-class was in 1637

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Lower-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lower-class. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

lower-class

adjective
low·​er-class
-ˈklas
: of, relating to, or being the social class ranking below the middle class
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