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

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 left smug, witless readers of the leisure class amused.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2019

But the railroad accelerated its growth as courses and hotels were built on the coasts of Scotland and England to appeal to a newly mobile leisure class.

From New York Times • Jul. 21, 2018

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