aristocrat

American  

[uh-ris-tuh-krat, ar-uh-stuh-] / əˈrɪs təˌkræt, ˈær ə stə- /

noun

1. a member of an aristocracy, especially a noble.

   Synonyms:

   lord, peer, patrician

2. a person who has the tastes, manners, etc., characteristic of members of an aristocracy.

3. an advocate of an aristocratic form of government.

4. anything regarded as the best, most elegant, or most stylish of its kind.

   the aristocrat of California wines.

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aristocrat British  

/ ˈærɪstəˌkræt /

noun

1. a member of the aristocracy; a noble

2. a person who has the manners or qualities of a member of a privileged or superior class

3. a person who advocates aristocracy as a form of government

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Etymology

Origin of aristocrat

First recorded in 1770–80; from French aristocrate, back formation from aristocratie aristocracy

Explanation

An aristocrat is someone from the ruling class, usually those with nobility, money, or both. Although not an aristocrat yourself, you may have the odd viscount on your family tree if you go back far enough. The word aristocrat comes from the Greek word aristokratia, which itself comes from the root words aristos, meaning "best," and kratos, meaning "rule." So, the aristocracy was the ruling class of (supposedly) the best and noblest people, and an aristocrat was a member of that class. Today the word can also be applied to anyone with superior standing: Count Basie was an aristocrat in the jazz world.

Example Sentences

He mentioned another guy, who is now in my prologue, Georg Ritter von Schönerer, a Viennese aristocrat who was inspirational to Hitler at a given moment in Hitler’s youth.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

"History really excites me and learning about the first converts to Islam in Victorian Britain is so exciting - especially a local aristocrat of Lord Stanley's standing."

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

It's nearly 200 years since the birth of a British aristocrat who became the first Muslim member of the House of Lords.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

Konik noted that Nike is on the verge of becoming a dividend aristocrat, referring to companies referring to companies that have increased payouts to investors every year for at least the last 25 years.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

Her glance caught Poirot’s and swept over him with the nonchalance of the uninterested aristocrat.

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

Related Words

• noble