upper crust

noun

Synonyms of upper crustnext
: the highest social class or group
especially : the highest circle of the upper class
upper-crust adjective

Examples of upper crust in a Sentence

the conference was a gathering of the upper crust of the computer programming industry a specialty clothing store for the upper crust
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.
Link, whose real name is Dylan, helped to create Alex prior to the mass extinction event that sent the world's upper crust into Paradise. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026 Two leagues that are deeper but don't have that really thick upper crust would be the Big 10 and the SEC. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026 Besides, he’s already got a first name that sounds like a last name, signifying the American upper crust. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026 But Denver was not returning to the NFL’s upper crust as a family business. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upper crust

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upper crust was in 1836

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upper crust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upper%20crust. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

upper crust

noun
: the highest social class or group
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