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

“I don’t have a pair, so I’m not important enough,” Mato confessed, seeming to confirm that Florsheims have become something of a status symbol inside the administration.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

When a high number of people admire a luxury company, even if they can’t afford to own its goods, it cements its value as a status symbol.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Then picture adding sugar cane soles, calling them eco-friendly sneakers, becoming a Silicon Valley status symbol, and going public in 2021 with a market value that briefly topped $4 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

My car wasn't a top-of-the range status symbol.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

I certainly wasn’t seeking any degree, the way a college confers a status symbol upon its students.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey