English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj Uncommon

proletarian

proh-lih-TEH-uh-ree-uhn

Proletarian (adj) means relating to the working class, especially wage laborers. Example: “The novel romanticizes proletarian struggle in the industrial city.”

adj
1
Relating to the working class, especially wage laborers.
"The novel romanticizes proletarian struggle in the industrial city."
noun
1
A member of the working class who earns a living through labor rather than owning capital.
"The pamphlet called on every proletarian to join the strike."

How to use proletarian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to (or a member of) the working class, especially in Marxist political theory.

Common pairings
proletarian class proletarian revolution

Word forms

more proletarian comparative, proletarians plural, most proletarian superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “proletarian” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The novel romanticizes _____ struggle in the industrial city.

Etymology

From Latin proletarius, originally "a citizen too poor to contribute anything but children" to the state.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for proletarian

See all rhymes for proletarian →

Frequently asked questions

What does “proletarian” mean?

The word “proletarian” means relating to the working class, especially wage laborers. In plain terms, relating to (or a member of) the working class, especially in Marxist political theory.

How do you pronounce “proletarian”?

“Proletarian” is pronounced proh-lih-TEH-uh-ree-uhn (/ˌpɹoʊ.lɪˈtɛɹi.ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “proletarian” in a sentence?

Here is “proletarian” used in a sentence: “The novel romanticizes proletarian struggle in the industrial city.”

What part of speech is “proletarian”?

Depending on how it is used, “proletarian” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “proletarian” come from?

The word “proletarian” comes from Latin. From Latin proletarius, originally "a citizen too poor to contribute anything but children" to the state.

Is “proletarian” a common word?

“Proletarian” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “proletarian” have?

“Proletarian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the working class, especially wage laborers.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial