high-toned
Affecting superior airs
High-toned describes something refined, cultured, or socially elevated: a high-toned literary magazine, high-toned dinner conversation.
The term often carries a whiff of pretension or snobbery—someone putting on airs: She's too high-toned for this neighborhood.
In American usage, it can be sincere or gently mocking depending on context.
Titled ruling class
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
- bluebloodPerson of noble birth
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
duke · countess · baron · viscount · aristocrat · hereditary · lineage · manor
Arrogantly contemptuous of others
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- pompousAffectedly grand in manner
scornful · aloof · patronizing · self-important · smug · contemptuous · lordly · overweening
Fluent and persuasive
- grandiloquentPretentiously elevated in speech
- poeticOf or like verse
- sublimeAwe-inspiring greatness
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
articulate · lyrical · florid · ornate · lofty · elevated · literary · formal
Refined and courteous
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- refinedPurified or cultured
- chicTasteful, current flair
- suaveSmoothly refined in manner
tasteful · debonair · stylish · fashionable · exclusive · luxurious · classy · upscale
Purified or cultured
- eruditeProfoundly knowledgeable
- learnedHaving much knowledge
- intellectualConcerning thought and reason
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
cosmopolitan · genteel · classical · enlightened · connoisseur · artistic · tasteful · discerning
nobility
Titled ruling class
peerage · duke · countess · baron · viscount · aristocrat · hereditary · lineage · manor · estate
supercilious
Arrogantly contemptuous of others
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
pompous · scornful · aloof · patronizing · self-important · smug · contemptuous · lordly · overweening · haughty
eloquent
Fluent and persuasive
- grandiloquentPretentiously elevated in speech
- poeticOf or like verse
- sublimeAwe-inspiring greatness
expressive · articulate · lyrical · florid · ornate · lofty · elevated · literary · formal · declamatory
urbane
Refined and courteous
suave · tasteful · debonair · stylish · fashionable · exclusive · luxurious · classy · upscale · posh
refined
Purified or cultured
- eruditeProfoundly knowledgeable
- learnedHaving much knowledge
- intellectualConcerning thought and reason
polished · cosmopolitan · genteel · classical · enlightened · connoisseur · artistic · tasteful · discerning · scholarly
high-tonedlowbrow
Lacking intellectual depth
uncultured · unsophisticated · philistine · crude · uncultivated
tone, toned, high-pitched, intone, highbrow, high-minded, high-class, tonality, intoning