aristocrat
Americannoun
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a member of an aristocracy, especially a noble.
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a person who has the tastes, manners, etc., characteristic of members of an aristocracy.
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an advocate of an aristocratic form of government.
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anything regarded as the best, most elegant, or most stylish of its kind.
the aristocrat of California wines.
noun
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a member of the aristocracy; a noble
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a person who has the manners or qualities of a member of a privileged or superior class
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a person who advocates aristocracy as a form of government
Etymology
Origin of aristocrat
First recorded in 1770–80; from French aristocrate, back formation from aristocratie aristocracy
Explanation
An aristocrat is someone from the ruling class, usually those with nobility, money, or both. Although not an aristocrat yourself, you may have the odd viscount on your family tree if you go back far enough. The word aristocrat comes from the Greek word aristokratia, which itself comes from the root words aristos, meaning "best," and kratos, meaning "rule." So, the aristocracy was the ruling class of (supposedly) the best and noblest people, and an aristocrat was a member of that class. Today the word can also be applied to anyone with superior standing: Count Basie was an aristocrat in the jazz world.
Vocabulary lists containing aristocrat
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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Prince (1958-2016) Tribute List
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Medieval Europe - Introductory
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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.
Another longtime dividend payer in the household product group is Procter & Gamble, which yields 2.6% and is also a Dividend Aristocrat.
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
The Aristocrat trial is being funded by the Brain Tumour Charity and led by a team at Leeds University.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2023
She loves the way it blends old and new while staying true to the spirit and culture of TSU, where she is a music business major and saxophonist in the Aristocrat of Bands.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2023
Aristocrat Leisure shares are on a trading halt until Oct.
From Reuters • Oct. 17, 2021
With an end to grinding poverty in their Aristocrat suitcases.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
