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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

posh

posh
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Posh (adj) means Associated with wealth or the upper classes; stylish and expensive. Example: “They booked a table at a posh restaurant downtown.”

adj
1
Associated with wealth or the upper classes; stylish and expensive.
"They booked a table at a posh restaurant downtown."
"She grew up in a posh part of London."
2
Snobbish or acting superior toward others.
"He can be a bit posh about where he shops."

How to use posh

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUpper-class, stylish, or expensive — mainly British usage.

Common mistake

The "port out, starboard home" origin story is a well-known myth — don't repeat it as fact.

UK vs US

Very common in British English; Americans would more often say "fancy" or "upscale."

Common pairings
posh accent posh hotel posh neighborhood
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Word forms

Plural
poshes
Third person singular
poshes
Past tense
poshed
Comparative
posher, more posh
Superlative
poshest, most posh
Test yourself on “posh” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They booked a table at a _____ restaurant downtown.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, likely from Romani posh ("half"), possibly via slang for money like "half a crown." The popular idea that it stands for "port out, starboard home" is a myth with no real evidence.

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for posh

See all rhymes for posh →

Frequently asked questions

What does “posh” mean?
The word “posh” means associated with wealth or the upper classes; stylish and expensive. In plain terms, upper-class, stylish, or expensive — mainly British usage.
How do you pronounce “posh”?
“Posh” is pronounced posh (/pɑʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “posh” in a sentence?
Here is “posh” used in a sentence: “They booked a table at a posh restaurant downtown.”
What part of speech is “posh”?
“Posh” is an adjective.
Is “posh” a common word?
“Posh” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “posh” have?
“Posh” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: associated with wealth or the upper classes; stylish and expensive.

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