The word aristocratic describes a person at the highest level of society — such as a prince or a duchess — or those people or things that are so distinguished that they seem to belong to that group.

First used around the 1560s, the adjective aristocratic has origins in the Greek word aristokratia, meaning "government, rule of the best." An aristocratic person usually gains this social status through birthright rather than demonstrated merit. Aristocratic can describe someone or something belonging to this group, like an aristocratic estate or an aristocratic leader, but it can also describe something grand and elegant. You might have an aristocratic expression on your face as you attend a formal party.

There's a 79% chance you know this word

Start learning it now

Thesaurus  Share It

Definitions of

aristocratic

1

adj belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

“an aristocratic family”

“aristocratic Bostonians”

“aristocratic government”

“aristocratic bearing”

“aristocratic features”

Synonyms:

aristocratical, blue, blue-blooded, gentle, patrician

noble

of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy especially as derived from feudal times

After a public outcry in 2007 when corrupt park officials linked to the charcoal trade shot seven mountain gorillas, the government appointed Emmanuel de Merode, an aristocratic Belgian conservationist, as park director.
The GuardianApr 5, 2018

Eight bedrooms, 13 baths, three-story rotunda, “regal” main rooms, aristocratic details, library, indoor pool, gymnasium, full cinema room, eight fireplaces, staff quarters; 19,773 square feet.
Washington TimesApr 4, 2018

First, he converts the most aristocratic women of the city into whirling dervishes, gentle enough when they gambol in the mountains but capable of superhuman ferocity.
Washington PostApr 2, 2018
The robust bass Peter Rose played Bar

on Ochs in the typical way, as an oafish character convinced that his aristocratic pedigree entitles him to act crudely.
New York TimesMar 29, 2018

source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/aristocratic