status symbol

American  

noun

1. an object, habit, etc., by which the social or economic status of the possessor may be judged.

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status symbol British  

noun

1. a possession which is regarded as proof of the owner's social position, wealth, prestige, etc

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status symbol Idioms  

1. A position or activity that allows one's social prestige to be displayed, as in She doesn't even drive; that car of hers is purely a status symbol. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

For some actors, insiders say, demanding more has become a status symbol.

From Barron's

It’s a backdrop for $1,000 waterproof jackets with a dinosaur-fossil logo that have become a status symbol for finance bros and streetwear enthusiasts in Shanghai, London and New York.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at the automotive-research firm Edmunds, described the Cybertruck and its futuristic design as a status symbol designed for urban buyers.

From MarketWatch

A sort of status symbol among diners who want to prove they can not only pronounce bouillabaisse, but also know what’ s in it.

From Salon

As the rich pour money into their luxurious lifestyle, art has become both a status symbol and an investment.

From BBC