upper crust

noun

1. the topmost layer of crust, as of a pie.
2. Informal. the highest social class.

upper crust

noun

1. informal.
   the upper class

upper crust

1. Upper class: “The upper crust often have at least one summer house.”

Other Words From

• upper-crust adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of upper crust¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; 1830–35 upper crust fordef 2

Idioms and Phrases

The highest social class, as in She wanted badly to be one of the upper crust but it wasn't going to happen . This term alludes to the choicest part of a pie or loaf of bread. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

The melts were buoyant and ascended back to the upper crust, trapping the heat-producing elements there in rocks like granite and allowing the lower crust to cool and harden.

From Science Daily

His jabs at his predecessor took aim at the former president’s wealthy upbringing, his friendships with billionaires and his 2017 tax cuts that disproportionately benefited America’s upper crust.

From New York Times

Such a blasé response seems realistic: According to the same Guardian story from 2005, fancy dress parties with imperialist themes were popular with the British upper crust at the time, and Nazi costumes were commonplace.

From Los Angeles Times

A storm of reddish clouds fill the sky and golden hues saturate the upper crust, a subliminal nod to their wealth, while muddy browns litter the poor streets below.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes, though, they can be seen as elite or upper crust — and not particularly accessible.

From Salon

Related Words

• aristocracy
• blue blood
• jet set
• upper class