Aristocrat Meaning
/ˈæɹɪstəˌkɹæt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounOne of the aristocracy, nobility, or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble (originally in Revolutionary France).
nounA proponent of aristocracy; an advocate of aristocratic government.
Sentence Examples
The aristocrat clings to the glory of his past.
He's a genuine aristocrat.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The wealthy ____ donated generously to build the new hospital.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The wealthy ____ owned several large estates across the countryside.
Word Origin & History
From French aristocrate (“aristocrat”), attested once in the 16th century but recoined in the Revolutionary era, from aristocratie (“aristocracy”), from Medieval Latin aristocratia, from Ancient Greek ἀριστοκρατία (aristokratía), from ἄριστος (áristos, “best”) (compare Old English ar) + κράτος (krátos, “rule”). By surface analysis, aristo- + -crat.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The remains of a Roman aristocrat have been unearthed by archaeologists in northern England."
— 2023 March 13, Lianne Kolirin, “Skeletal remains of Roman aristocrat discovered in hidden lead coffin”, in CNN, archived from the original on 19 Apr 2024:
"Magazines kept aristocrats on the payroll to facilitate access to jet-set playgrounds like Corfu and Mustique."
— 2025 June 27, Michael M. Grynbaum, “The Concorde-and-Caviar Era of Condé Nast, When Magazines Ruled the Earth”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 27 Jun 2025:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The wealthy ____ donated generously to build the new hospital.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The wealthy ____ owned several large estates across the countryside.