proletarian

[ proh-li-tair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. pertaining or belonging to the proletariat.
2. (in ancient Rome) belonging to the lowest or poorest class of the people.

noun

1. a member of the proletariat.

proletarian

/ ˈprəʊlɪtərɪ; -trɪ; ˌprəʊlɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating, or belonging to the proletariat

noun

1. a member of the proletariat

Derived Forms

• ˌproleˈtarianism, noun
• ˌproleˈtarianness, noun

Other Words From

• prole·tari·an·ly adverb
• prole·tari·an·ness noun
• half-pro·le·tari·an adjective
• nonpro·le·tari·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proletarian¹

First recorded in 1650–60; proletary, -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of proletarian¹

C17: from Latin prōlētārius one whose only contribution to the state was his offspring, from prōlēs offspring

Example Sentences

This too may be characteristic of a Dame, although pairing that with her unstuffy humor and refreshingly proletarian quick wit engendered in us a familiarity.

From Salon

To an even greater extent than the neoliberal economists, she fashioned an ideology that is simply the worst of the Marxist-Leninism she escaped stood on its head, with a heroic Übermensch substituting for the proletarian masses.

From Salon

The play’s snotty actors, meanwhile, clearly consider their foe a proletarian rube and airily patronize him.

From New York Times

Red is one of those colors that’s both aspirational and proletarian at the same time.

From Seattle Times

Wrapped around it are curved forms, wiry and metallic, their composition looking strangely like a shattered hammer and sickle — an emblem of proletarian solidarity between agricultural and industrial workers in the Russian state, now torn asunder.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• employee
• laborer
• staff