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
Thus, the afternoon tea was born, and upper-class Brits soon found that the snack became an integral part of their conviviality. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025 The hugely popular Harper’s Weekly was how many middle- and upper-class Americans stayed up to date with the Civil War. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Desai does have a Tolstoyan talent for both empathizing with and skewering the upper classes from within. Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025 People living under colonial rule, for example, are likely to adopt the speech patterns of the more prestigious upper class. Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Upper-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upper-class. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

upper class

noun
: the highest class in society
upper-class adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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