high society
The beau monde
High society is the social world of wealthy, prominent, and fashionable people—old money families, socialites, and those who move in elite circles.
The term implies not just wealth but social standing, often tied to lineage, connections, and participation in exclusive events: She married into high society.
The phrase can carry a whiff of snobbery or superficiality.
Reputation commanding admiration
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
standing · social register · who's who · upper crust · inner circle · social climbing · exclusivity · cachet
Titled ruling class
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- bluebloodPerson of noble birth
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
duke · duchess · countess · baron · viscount · marquess · earl · lineage
Festive formal occasion
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- soireeFormal evening party
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- fundraiserEvent collecting money
black-tie · debutante ball · garden party · auction · guest list · hosts · RSVP · season opener
Expensive nonessential comfort
- extravaganceExcessive, wasteful spending
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- exclusivityState of being limited
penthouse · yacht · chauffeur · country club · polo · regatta · opera · couture
Abundance of money
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- prosperityGood fortune, success
- richesAbundant valuable possessions
old money · new money · inheritance · trust fund · endowment · heiress · plutocrat · magnate
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
esteem · standing · social register · who's who · upper crust · inner circle · social climbing · exclusivity · cachet · influence
nobility
Titled ruling class
patrician · duke · duchess · countess · baron · viscount · marquess · earl · lineage · hereditary
gala
Festive formal occasion
fundraiser · black-tie · debutante ball · garden party · auction · guest list · hosts · RSVP · season opener · philanthropy
luxury
Expensive nonessential comfort
- extravaganceExcessive, wasteful spending
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- refinementElegance of manner
exclusivity · penthouse · yacht · chauffeur · country club · polo · regatta · opera · couture · designer
affluence
Abundance of money
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- prosperityGood fortune, success
riches · old money · new money · inheritance · trust fund · endowment · heiress · plutocrat · magnate · tycoon
- Elite Familiesroyalty, nobility, aristocrats, dynasties, blue bloods
- elite networksold boys network, old boys club, inner circle, inner circles, cronyism
- Gilded Age LiteratureMark Twain, Henry James, Edith Wharton, The Gilded Age, Huckleberry Finn
- Affluencewealth, wealthy, affluence, prestige, elite
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
- high societygossip, socialites, aristocrats, aristocrat, debutante
high societylower class
Lowest socioeconomic stratum
underclass · the masses · working class · the poor · commoners
high societylow culture
Popular, non-elite entertainment
common life · simple living · street culture · popular culture · folkways
high, society, socialism, antisocial, socialist, socialize, unsocial, societal, socializing