English vocabulary · B2
Aristocracy
/ˌærɪˈstɒkrəsi/ · n.
It means the rule of a country by a small group of the best, most powerful people.
Continue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The aristocracy lived in castles.
- Only the aristocracy could own such land.
Word origin and roots
- aristo — best (from Greek)
- cracy — rule (from Greek)
Synonyms and nuances
- nobility (referring to inherited titles and rank)
- elite (describing the most privileged group)
- gentry (describing the landed upper class)
Words with the same root
kratos — rule
- democracy — rule by the people
- bureaucracy — rule by government officials and departments
- autocracy — rule by a single person with total power
Lesson notes
Aristocracy. It means the rule of a country by a small group of the best, most powerful people.
Similar words are nobility, elite, and gentry. Use aristocracy when describing a ruling class.
The aristocracy lived in castles. Only the aristocracy could own such land.
Think: aristo means best and cracy means rule. That is an aristocracy.