leisure class

Cultural  

1. The rich, so called because they can afford not to work. The term was made current by the economist Thorstein Veblen in his book The Theory of the Leisure Class.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leisure class

The expanding leisure class of the late 19th century was, as Fischer writes, “driven to consume, eager for diversion and entertainment.”

From Washington Post ● Apr. 27, 2022

Gillespie said the rule is "kind of a holdover from the leisure class."

From Fox News ● Sep. 6, 2021

It has been derided by some critics, including many in France, as a lavish purchase of a European brand for the benefit of a global leisure class.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2020

They didn’t want to overthrow the leisure class.

From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2019

A jungle yields no abundance to feed the multitudes, and supports no leisure class.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• affluent
• upscale
• wealthy
• well-heeled
• well-off
• well-to-do