status symbol

noun

1. an object, habit, etc., by which the social or economic status of the possessor may be judged.

status symbol

noun

1. a possession which is regarded as proof of the owner's social position, wealth, prestige, etc

Idioms and Phrases

A position or activity that allows one's social prestige to be displayed, as in She doesn't even drive; that car of hers is purely a status symbol. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

What felt absurd in 2013 looks uncannily familiar now: the obsession with purity, the conflation of wellness with luxury, the belief that food is never just food but a lifestyle choice, a status symbol, a moral performance.

From Salon

The turtles have unique markings on their shells, and are seen as a status symbol in China where they are often kept as pets.

From BBC

The horns of African rhinos are often exported to Asian markets were they are used in traditional medicine and also seen as a status symbol.

From BBC

“Much like the tomato candle, a certain kind of tomato has become a status symbol in its own right. And the Loewe tomato is much closer to one of those luxuriously imperfect heirloom sunbursts than it is to a standard supermarket globe.”

From Salon

It’s wellness as entertainment, grocery shopping as status symbol.

From Los Angeles Times