socialite

[ soh-shuh-lahyt ]

noun

1. a socially prominent person.

socialite

/ ˈsəʊʃəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a person who is or seeks to be prominent in fashionable society

Word History and Origins

Origin of socialite¹

First recorded in 1925–30; social + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The politicians, socialites, and Catholic leaders present at the dinner didn’t take the joke well, but their groans weren’t nearly as scornful as the former First Lady’s reaction.

From Salon

A wealthy socialite led an operation to launder more than £200m of criminals' cash, a jury has been told.

From BBC

Maxwell's lawyers argued in March that the British socialite "should never have been prosecuted", because of the "weird" agreement.

From BBC

It saw Prince Andrew discuss his links to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the socialite now serving time in prison for helping Epstein abuse girls.

From BBC

Thomas has the political instincts of an old-school ward leader and the sharp tongue of a socialite who knows the secrets of housekeepers and the intricacies of offshore bank accounts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debutante