declass

American

[dee-klas, -klahs] / diˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

verb (used with object)

to remove or degrade from one's social class, position, or rank; lower in status.

declass British

/ diːˈklɑːs /

verb

(tr) to lower in social status or position; degrade

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of declass

From the French word déclasser, dating back to 1885–90. See de-, class

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What service, indeed, would it be to Mary to declass her?

From The Faith Doctor A Story of New York by Eggleston, Edward

Previously he had paid his forfeits with the best of good-nature, but his previous forfeits hadn’t obliged him to declass himself.

From Rope by Hall, Holworthy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023