Four Hundred

or 400

noun

1. the exclusive social set of a city or area.

Four Hundred

noun

1. the Four Hundred
   the most exclusive or affluent social clique in a particular place

Word History and Origins

Origin of Four Hundred¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; allegedly after the capacity of the ballroom in the mansion of Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, a leader of New York society in the late 19th century

Example Sentences

His daughter and namesake, William’s great-great-grandmother Frances, kept it up, achieving the Gilded Age honor of inclusion on Mrs. Astor’s “Four Hundred,” a list of New York’s most promising socialites.

From Washington Post

I calculated the consequences of replying “Four Hundred Pound,” and finding them against me, went as near the answer as I could—which was somewhere about eightpence off.

From Literature

I learned from “Four Hundred Souls” that my ancestors arrived here on a slave ship before the Mayflower.

From New York Times

Although this review is based on reading a hardcover copy, it’s easy to imagine how satisfying the audio version of “Four Hundred Souls” would be.

From Washington Post

Feb. 4 A Zoom discussion of “Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019,” hosted by the California African American Museum from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jet set