social class

noun

plural social classes

: a group of people sharing the same social or socioeconomic status : class sense 2a

The well-to-do WTUL [=Women's Trade Union League] volunteers who joined striking New York City shirtwaist workers in 1909 had used their elegant attire to convey the fact that no woman, whatever her social class, could ignore the hardships endured by clothing workers in America.

—Ellen Cain

Her research explores the use and abuse of diversity and inclusion policy as a form of reputation management, and how social class influences access to and career progression within 'elite' occupations.

—Queen Mary University of London

The eight women denied being witches, but Mary was believed. She was 18, pretty, educated and from a higher social class.

—Martina Devlin

Examples of social class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Much like in Handmaid’s Tale, famous for its striking handmaid red, color will play a central role in identifying the various social classes of women in Gilead. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026

The men ranged from 22 to 70 years old, coming from all sorts of backgrounds, occupations, and social classes. —Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026

The poll surveyed 1,021 adults across all 23 Venezuelan states and the Capital District, with the sample distributed proportionally by geographic strata and social class. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

The actor had to convey a certain ambiguity not often afforded to people of a lower social class. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social class

• candlemas
• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras