elite class
Society's top tier
Elite class refers to the highest social stratum—those with disproportionate wealth, power, or influence.
The term can be neutral or critical, depending on context: The elite class benefits most from tax cuts.
In Marxist analysis, the elite class owns the means of production.
More loosely, it describes any privileged upper tier: prep schools that cater to the elite class.
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- oligarchyRule by few
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- bourgeoisieCapitalist ownership class
- patriciansHereditary ruling class
authority · affluence · caste system · old money · silver spoon · gentry · leadership · capital · inheritance · noblesse oblige · nobility · exclusivity · ivory tower · wealthy · governance · dominance · patronage · prestigious
- classessubclass, superclass, underclass, caste, tier
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- social classstratum, bourgeoisie, proletariat, underclass, ranks
- travel classespremium economy, economy, basic economy, economy plus, main cabin
- layerscanopy layer, paper sheets, veneer, laminate, cloud layer
- privilegeprivilege, entitled, entitlement, VIP, exclusive
elite classlower class
Lowest socioeconomic stratum
underclass · common people · masses · the masses · working class
elite classpowerless
Lacking strength or authority
disenfranchised · marginalized · voiceless · dispossessed · subjugated
elite classunderprivileged
Lacking usual social advantages
disadvantaged · deprived · excluded · impoverished · have-nots