noun
Uncommon
proletariat
proh-lih-TEH-uh-rih-uht
Proletariat (noun) means the working class as a whole, especially wage earners without capital of their own. Example: “The book examines the rise of the industrial proletariat in 19th-century Europe.”
noun
1
The working class as a whole, especially wage earners without capital of their own.
"The book examines the rise of the industrial proletariat in 19th-century Europe."
How to use proletariat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe working class, especially as a group with shared economic interests.
When to use it
Strongly associated with Marxist political theory and academic or historical writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the industrial proletariat
rise of the proletariat
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Word forms
- Plural
- proletariats
Fill the gap
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The book examines the rise of the industrial _____ in 19th-century Europe.
Etymology
From French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius, "citizen of the lowest class."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for proletariat
See all rhymes for proletariat →Frequently asked questions
What does “proletariat” mean?
The word “proletariat” means the working class as a whole, especially wage earners without capital of their own. In plain terms, the working class, especially as a group with shared economic interests.
How do you pronounce “proletariat”?
“Proletariat” is pronounced proh-lih-TEH-uh-rih-uht (/ˌpɹoʊ.lɪˈtɛɚ.i.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “proletariat” in a sentence?
Here is “proletariat” used in a sentence: “The book examines the rise of the industrial proletariat in 19th-century Europe.”
What part of speech is “proletariat”?
“Proletariat” is a noun.
Where does the word “proletariat” come from?
The word “proletariat” comes from Latin. From French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius, "citizen of the lowest class.".
Is “proletariat” a common word?
“Proletariat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
