declass

American

[dee-klas, -klahs] / diˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

verb (used with object)

to remove or degrade from one's social class, position, or rank; lower in status.

declass British

/ diːˈklɑːs /

verb

(tr) to lower in social status or position; degrade

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of declass

From the French word déclasser, dating back to 1885–90. See de-, class

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Previously he had paid his forfeits with the best of good-nature, but his previous forfeits hadn’t obliged him to declass himself.

From Rope by Hall, Holworthy

What service, indeed, would it be to Mary to declass her?

From The Faith Doctor A Story of New York by Eggleston, Edward

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023