big-timers
Top dogs, essentially
Big-timers are people who have achieved major success or prominence in their field—the opposite of small-time operators.
The term can be admiring or slightly mocking, depending on context: The big-timers flew in on private jets suggests genuine status, while Look at these big-timers with their fancy suits carries a hint of sarcasm.
Someone who acts like a big-timer may be putting on airs.
Powerful business leaders
- magnatesWealthy, powerful industrialists
- industrialistsOwners of manufacturing enterprises
- baronsTitled nobles, lowest rank
- kingmakersThose who decide leadership
oligarchs · financiers · capitalists · power-brokers · dealmakers · plutocrats · rainmakers · billionaires
Elite celebrities
- superstarsElite famous performers
- headlinersMain acts at shows
- iconsRepresentative small images
- famePublic recognition, widespread
red-carpet · paparazzi · glamour · starlets · idols · entertainers · divas · showbiz
Influential experts guiding discourse
- visionariesThose who anticipate change
- game-changersThings transforming entire fields
- pioneersFirst to explore territory
- innovatorsCreators of novel things
luminaries · trailblazers · opinion-makers · heavy-hitters · decision-makers · gatekeepers · networkers
Wealthy international travelers
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- bluebloodsHereditary upper class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
nobility · privileged · upper-crust · debutantes · glitterati · trust-funders · philanthropists
Exceptionally ambitious, successful individuals
- overachieversThose who exceed expectations
- go-gettersAmbitiously proactive people
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
- prominentEasily noticed or distinguished
eminent · renowned · triumphant · thriving · prosperous · affluent · well-to-do · winners
tycoons
Powerful business leaders
- magnatesWealthy, powerful industrialists
- industrialistsOwners of manufacturing enterprises
- baronsTitled nobles, lowest rank
kingmakers · oligarchs · financiers · capitalists · power-brokers · dealmakers · plutocrats · rainmakers · billionaires · monopolists
A-listers
Elite celebrities
- superstarsElite famous performers
- headlinersMain acts at shows
- iconsRepresentative small images
fame · red-carpet · paparazzi · glamour · starlets · idols · entertainers · divas · showbiz · megastars
thought-leaders
Influential experts guiding discourse
- visionariesThose who anticipate change
- game-changersThings transforming entire fields
- pioneersFirst to explore territory
innovators · luminaries · trailblazers · opinion-makers · heavy-hitters · decision-makers · gatekeepers · networkers
jet-set
Wealthy international travelers
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- bluebloodsHereditary upper class
gentry · nobility · privileged · upper-crust · debutantes · glitterati · trust-funders · philanthropists
high-flyers
Exceptionally ambitious, successful individuals
- overachieversThose who exceed expectations
- go-gettersAmbitiously proactive people
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
prominent · eminent · renowned · triumphant · thriving · prosperous · affluent · well-to-do · winners · hotshots
big-timerssmall fry
Children or insignificant people
nobodies · small-timers · bit players · minor leaguers · lightweights
big, bigger, biggest, time, times, timed, timing, timer, timers