upper-class

1 of 2

adjective

up·​per-class ˌə-pər-ˈklas 

-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

Synonyms

Adjective

• aristocratic

Noun

• aristocracy
• nobility
• upper crust
• gentry

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

Adjective

There is no draft and no exemptions therefrom that favored middle- and upper-class white boys. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 July 2025

For many fans, Warner and his costars were examples of Black excellence themselves, as The Cosby Show aired at a time when there was very little representation of upper-class Black families on TV. —Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 21 July 2025

Noun

Smallbone portrays the cunning William Fairfax, a friend and romantic rival to George, who moves effortlessly in the world of the British upper class to which Washington aspires. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

Culturally, the gallery label explains, upper class women in Britain were discouraged from nursing their own children in the 17th century. —Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upper-class

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

Kids Definition

upper class

noun

: the highest class in society

upper-class adjective