upper-class
/ði ˌʌpə ˈklɑːs/ (bre, ipa) · /ði ˌʌpər ˈklæs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌə-pər-ˈklas -ˈkläs/ (ame, mw) · /ˌʌp.ə ˈklɑːs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌp.ɚ ˈklæs/ (ame, ipa)
upper-class — adjective
1. connected with the richest and highest-status group in society, or typical of ho
connected with the richest and highest-status group in society, or typical of how those people live.
Felix grew up in an upper-class neighborhood near the coast in Maine.
upper-class + noun (neighborhood)
The school was famous for teaching upper-class manners to its students.
attributive: upper-class manners
Salma's family was considered upper-class because of their long history in the town.
Upper-class families on this street still employ drivers and live-in cooks.
Only upper-class travelers could afford the private cabins on that ship.
- aristocratic
more specific — refers to families with noble titles or inherited rank, not just wealth
- wealthy
focuses only on having money, not necessarily on social rank or status
- elite
emphasizes being part of a select, powerful group, often through achievement as well as birth
- lower-class
describes the social group at the bottom of the class system
- working-class
describes people who do manual or industrial work for wages
文法句型
upper-class + noun
be + upper-class
用法筆記
Write with a hyphen (upper-class) when used before a noun as an adjective. Without the hyphen (upper class), it functions as a noun.
常見錯誤
upper-class — noun
1. the people at the top of society, known for having the most wealth, influence, a
the people at the top of society, known for having the most wealth, influence, and social status.
Members of the upper class often send their children to the same private schools.
the + upper class as a collective group
The upper class in this country owns a large share of the land and businesses.
Ingrid was born into the upper class but never felt comfortable with the lifestyle.
Guests from the upper class arrived early for the charity ball in Vienna.
The upper class has long influenced tax policy through private meetings and campaign donations.
- aristocracy
more specific — refers to people with noble titles, not just wealthy people in general
- social elite
emphasizes being at the top of society, often through wealth, connections, or achievements
- high society
focuses on the social activities and lifestyle rather than the class structure
- the working class
people who work for wages, typically in manual or industrial jobs
- the lower class
people at the bottom of the social and economic hierarchy
文法句型
the + upper class
用法筆記
Used with the definite article 'the'. Takes a singular verb ('the upper class is...', 'the upper class owns...') even though it refers to many people. Do not use a hyphen when it is a noun.