aristocracy
ar-ih-STOK-ruh-see
Aristocracy (noun) means the hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege. Example: “The old aristocracy lost much of its land after the revolution.”
noun
1
The hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege.
"The old aristocracy lost much of its land after the revolution."
"She married into the French aristocracy."
2
Government by a privileged ruling class.
"The country shifted from aristocracy to democracy over two centuries."
How to use aristocracy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hereditary noble class, or rule by that class.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
landed aristocracy
the aristocracy of
rise of the aristocracy
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Word forms
- Plural
- aristocracies
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The old _____ lost much of its land after the revolution.
Etymology
From Greek aristokratia, "rule of the best," from aristos ("best") + kratos ("power, rule").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for aristocracy
See all rhymes for aristocracy →Frequently asked questions
What does “aristocracy” mean?
The word “aristocracy” means the hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege. In plain terms, the hereditary noble class, or rule by that class.
How do you pronounce “aristocracy”?
“Aristocracy” is pronounced ar-ih-STOK-ruh-see (/ˌɛɹ.ɪˈstɑ.kɹə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “aristocracy” in a sentence?
Here is “aristocracy” used in a sentence: “The old aristocracy lost much of its land after the revolution.”
What part of speech is “aristocracy”?
“Aristocracy” is a noun.
Where does the word “aristocracy” come from?
The word “aristocracy” comes from Greek. From Greek aristokratia, "rule of the best," from aristos ("best") + kratos ("power, rule").
Is “aristocracy” a common word?
“Aristocracy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “aristocracy” have?
“Aristocracy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege.
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