Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

high society

American  

noun

  1. society.


high society British  

noun

    1. the upper classes, esp when fashionable

    2. ( as modifier )

      her high-society image

"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 high society

First recorded in 1915–20

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.

See Examples For:

"He was already a star living all over the world, mixing in high society, staying in grand hotels -- and usually in some sort of emotional turmoil."

From Barron's Jun. 12, 2026

The 70-room mansion dates back to 1895, when it was built for business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who was one of the most prominent members of high society during that era.

From MarketWatch Dec. 8, 2025

Instead, they represented German high society, possessing “titles and jewels and impeccable contacts,” he writes.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 19, 2025

Those lines are straight from a new translation of Leo Tolstoy's epic novel War & Peace, set in the world of Russian high society in the early 19th century.

From BBC Nov. 14, 2025

And the lead suspect was a man of high society: the dead bank teller’s best pal.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training