Proletariat — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌprō-lə-ˈter-ē-ət/ pro·le·tar·i·at

Meaning & Definition of Proletariat

Proletariat (noun)

  1. the laboring class; especially, the class of industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live
  2. the lowest social or economic class of a community

Proletariat (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class

    "the Bolsheviks believed that Russia's discontented proletariat made that nation ripe for revolution"

    similar: rabble, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff, rout, scum, tag, rag, and bobtail, trash, unwashed
    related: dregs, commoners, commons, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, people, plebeians, populace, public, rank and file, bourgeoisie, middle class, working class
    opposite: A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class, upper crust
    near: elect, establishment, gentlefolk, nobility, peerage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Proletariat

The most common words with a similar meaning to Proletariat:

rabble, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff, rout, scum, tag, rag, and bobtail, trash, unwashed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Proletariat

Words with the opposite meaning of Proletariat:

A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class, upper crust

Related Words for Proletariat

dregs, commoners, commons, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, people, plebeians, populace, public, rank and file, bourgeoisie, middle class, working class

Near Antonyms of Proletariat

elect, establishment, gentlefolk, nobility, peerage

Origin & Etymology of Proletariat

French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius

First known use: 1847

Words & Phrases Containing Proletariat

the proletariat

Frequently Asked Questions about Proletariat

What does "Proletariat" mean?

"Proletariat" means the laboring class; especially, the class of industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live. As a noun, it is defined as: the laboring class; especially, the class of industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live.

What is another word for "Proletariat"?

Other words for "Proletariat" include rabble, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff, rout, scum, tag, rag, and bobtail and trash. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Proletariat" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Proletariat"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Proletariat". Common alternatives include rabble, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff, rout, scum, tag, rag, and bobtail, trash and unwashed.

What is the opposite of "Proletariat"?

Antonyms of "Proletariat" include A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class and upper crust. Near antonyms include elect, establishment, gentlefolk and nobility.

How do you use "Proletariat" in a sentence?

Examples of "Proletariat" in a sentence: "the Bolsheviks believed that Russia's discontented proletariat made that nation ripe for revolution".

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

"Proletariat" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Proletariat"?

"Proletariat" is pronounced /ˌprō-lə-ˈter-ē-ət/ and divided into syllables as pro·le·tar·i·at.

What is the origin of the word "Proletariat"?

"Proletariat" comes from French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius. First known use: 1847.