aristocratic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to government by an aristocracy.
-
belonging to or favoring the aristocracy.
-
characteristic of an aristocrat; having the manners, values, or qualities associated with the aristocracy.
aristocratic bearing; aristocratic snobbishness.
adjective
-
relating to or characteristic of aristocracy or an aristocrat
-
elegant or stylish in appearance and behaviour
Other Word Forms
-
aristocraticalnessnoun
-
aristocraticnessnoun
-
antiaristocraticadjective
-
antiaristocraticaladjective
-
nonaristocraticadjective
-
nonaristocraticaladjective
-
proaristocraticadjective
-
pseudoaristocraticadjective
-
pseudoaristocraticaladjective
-
unaristocraticadjective
-
antiaristocraticallyadverb
-
aristocraticallyadverb
-
nonaristocraticallyadverb
-
pseudoaristocraticallyadverb
-
unaristocraticallyadverb
Etymology
Origin of aristocratic
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek aristokratikós “pertaining to aristocracy,” from aristokrat(ía) “rule of the best” ( see aristocracy) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
The word aristocratic describes a person at the highest level of society — such as a prince or a duchess — or those people or things that are so distinguished that they seem to belong to that group. First used around the 1560s, the adjective aristocratic has origins in the Greek word aristokratia, meaning "government, rule of the best." An aristocratic person usually gains this social status through birthright rather than demonstrated merit. Aristocratic can describe someone or something belonging to this group, like an aristocratic estate or an aristocratic leader, but it can also describe something grand and elegant. You might have an aristocratic expression on your face as you attend a formal party.
Vocabulary lists containing aristocratic
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Catcher in the Rye
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Content Summary 4.4: Early Modern Islamic Empires
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 caption explains that: “Jewellery and equipment in the graves of many wealthy and aristocratic women reflect the complex roles these women had.”
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
The Sunday Times reported that George Cottrell, a 32-year-old crypto entrepreneur from an aristocratic family, rents a mansion near Buckingham Palace where Farage has stayed.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
Elsewhere as Siegfried, Aran Bell, principal since 2020, proved physically imposing and mostly steady and secure technically, without bringing much individuality to the role’s aristocratic dimensions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
Set against the backdrop of 1980s excess and large country estates, the series tells the story of the rivalry between the aristocratic Rupert Campbell-Black and TV executive Lord Tony Baddingham.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
Big Numbers, Small Probabilities People’s facility with numbers ranges from the aristocratic to the Ramanujanian, but it’s an unfortunate fact that most are on the aristocrats’ side of our old Mainer.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
