adj

posh

adj

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."

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

Word Forms

posher comparative, more posh comparative, poshed past tense, poshes plural, poshes plural, poshes singular, poshest superlative, most posh superlative

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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.

Rhymes for posh

gosh dosh bosh Josh tosh nosh Kosh whoosh swoosh Santosh Macintosh mackintosh

See all rhymes for posh →