déclassé

[dey-kla-sey, -klah-, dey-klah-sey]

adjective

1. reduced to or having low or lower status.

   a once-chic restaurant that had become completely déclassé.

2. reduced or belonging to a lower or low social class, position, or rank.

déclassé

/ deklɑse /

adjective

1. Also (feminine): déclassée. having lost social standing or status

Word History and Origins

Origin of déclassé¹

1885–1890; < French, past participle of déclasser. See de-, class

Word History and Origins

Origin of déclassé¹

C19: from French déclasser to _declass

Example Sentences

Into the 20th century, some things Mexican were considered declasse, except in designated quaint settings like Olvera Street.

From Los Angeles Times

Brooks’ labored apologia is a history — his history — of recent American conservatism, a Manichaean fable of civilized, conscientious conservatives full of marvelous ideas and déclassé, knuckle-dragging right-wingers.

From Salon

She’s a remnant of a déclassé life that Simone wants to leave behind.

From Salon

It’s declasse and too far from where I live.

From Los Angeles Times

Today, Americans intuitively associate computers and the internet with the technological frontier and associate manufacturing with déclassé smokestacks of yore.

From Slate