Aristocracy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē/ ar·is·toc·ra·cy

Meaning & Definition of Aristocracy

Aristocracy (noun)

  1. government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class
  2. a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified
  3. a state with such a government

Aristocracy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the highest class in a society

    "at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land"

    similar: elite, gentility, gentlefolk, gentry, nobility, patriciate, quality, upper class, upper crust
    related: A-list, beau monde, beautiful people, café society, Four Hundred, glitterati, haut monde, jet set, society, carriage trade, plutocracy
    opposite: proletarians, proletariat
    near: commoners, (the) crowd, (the) masses, peasantry, peonage, (the) people, plebeians, plebs, (the) populace, (the) public, rank and file, bourgeoisie, middle class, working class, dregs, (the) herd, (the) mob, rabble, rabblement, riffraff, scum, trash

  2. individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class

    "membership in the society is reserved for the literary world's aristocracy"

    similar: A-list, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elect, elite, fat, flower, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust, cream of the crop, Hall of Fame
    related: establishment, gentry, nobility, quality, society, top, top drawer, upper class, caviar, who's who
    near: commoners, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, rank and file, unwashed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Aristocracy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Aristocracy:

elite, gentility, gentlefolk, gentry, nobility, patriciate, quality, upper class, upper crust, A-list, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elect, fat, flower, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, cream of the crop, Hall of Fame

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Aristocracy

Words with the opposite meaning of Aristocracy:

proletarians, proletariat

Related Words for Aristocracy

beau monde, beautiful people, café society, Four Hundred, glitterati, haut monde, jet set, society, carriage trade, plutocracy, establishment, top, top drawer, caviar, who's who

Near Antonyms of Aristocracy

commoners, (the) crowd, (the) masses, peasantry, peonage, (the) people, plebeians, plebs, (the) populace, (the) public, rank and file, bourgeoisie, middle class, working class, dregs, (the) herd, (the) mob, rabble, rabblement, riffraff, scum, trash, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, unwashed

Word Forms of Aristocracy

Inflections: aristocracies

Origin & Etymology of Aristocracy

Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

First known use: 1561

Frequently Asked Questions about Aristocracy

What does "Aristocracy" mean?

"Aristocracy" means government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class. As a noun, it is defined as: government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Aristocracy"?

Other words for "Aristocracy" include elite, gentility, gentlefolk, gentry, nobility, patriciate, quality and upper class. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Aristocracy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Aristocracy"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Aristocracy". Common alternatives include elite, gentility, gentlefolk, gentry, nobility, patriciate, quality, upper class, upper crust and A-list.

What is the opposite of "Aristocracy"?

Antonyms of "Aristocracy" include proletarians and proletariat. Near antonyms include commoners, (the) crowd, (the) masses and peasantry.

How do you use "Aristocracy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Aristocracy" in a sentence: "at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land"; "membership in the society is reserved for the literary world's aristocracy".

Is "Aristocracy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Aristocracy" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Aristocracy"?

"Aristocracy" is pronounced /ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē/ and divided into syllables as ar·is·toc·ra·cy.

What is the origin of the word "Aristocracy"?

"Aristocracy" comes from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy. First known use: 1561.