upper-class
Born with silver
Upper-class describes people of the highest social and economic rank—those with inherited wealth, elite education, or aristocratic lineage.
The term can be neutral description or carry connotations of privilege and exclusivity: upper-class neighborhoods, an upper-class accent.
As a noun, the upper class refers to this social stratum collectively.
Person of noble birth
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
- highbornOf aristocratic birth
- wellbornOf noble descent
- nobleTitled or virtuous
elite · genteel · pedigree · breeding · distinguished · refined · venerable · prestigious
Prominent figure in fashionable circles
- debutanteFormally introduced young woman
- cotillionFormal society dance event
- galaFestive formal occasion
- poloMounted mallet sport
regatta · country club · prep school · finishing school · high society · etiquette · philanthropy · charity ball
Titled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- dukeHighest-ranking nobleman
- duchessWoman of ducal rank
baron · baroness · viscount · viscountess · marquess · countess · earl · lord
Having abundant financial resources
- opulentOstentatiously wealthy
- prosperousEnjoying wealth and success
- well-to-doHaving ample wealth
- moneyedHaving substantial wealth
rich · well-off · well-heeled · deep-pocketed · luxurious · lavish · sumptuous · high-income
Wealthy business leader
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- oligarchMember of small ruling class
- plutocratRuler through wealth
- powerbrokerWielder of political influence
kingmaker · industrialist · patron · philanthropist · dynasty · influence · connections · networking
blueblood
Person of noble birth
noble · elite · genteel · pedigree · breeding · distinguished · refined · venerable · prestigious · exclusive
socialite
Prominent figure in fashionable circles
- debutanteFormally introduced young woman
- cotillionFormal society dance event
- galaFestive formal occasion
polo · regatta · country club · prep school · finishing school · high society · etiquette · philanthropy · charity ball · garden party
nobility
Titled ruling class
duchess · baron · baroness · viscount · viscountess · marquess · countess · earl · lord · lady
affluent
Having abundant financial resources
- opulentOstentatiously wealthy
- prosperousEnjoying wealth and success
- well-to-doHaving ample wealth
moneyed · rich · well-off · well-heeled · deep-pocketed · luxurious · lavish · sumptuous · high-income · comfortable
magnate
Wealthy business leader
powerbroker · kingmaker · industrialist · patron · philanthropist · dynasty · influence · connections · networking · boardroom
- statusstatus, prestige, ranking, reputation, elite
- wealth statuspoor, rich, wealthy, affluent, low income
- privilegeprivilege, entitled, entitlement, elite, VIP
upper-classlower-class
Of humble social standing
working-class · underclass · poor · impoverished · disadvantaged
upper-classcommon
Widespread and unremarkable
plebeian · lowly · vulgar · uncouth · unsophisticated
upper-classunderprivileged
Lacking usual social advantages
subordinate · inferior · marginalized · disenfranchised · powerless
class, upper, classify, classroom, uppermost, uppercut, uppers, upper-crust