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Meaning & use

high society

noun, adjective·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˌhaɪ səˈsaɪəti/
US/ˌhaɪ səˈsaɪəti/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The rich and fashionable people at the top of a society, who attend exclusive events and mix with each other.

    Grammar: Used without 'a' or 'the' when referring to the group as a whole: she was welcomed into high society.

    Patterns

    • in high society
    • a member of high society
    • high-society circles

    After her novel became a bestseller, she was invited into high society.

    The wedding was the biggest high society event of the year.

    He moved in high society but never forgot his working-class roots.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Connected with rich, fashionable and socially important people.

    Grammar: Always comes before a noun and is written with a hyphen: a high-society wedding.

    Patterns

    • high-society wedding
    • high-society circles
    • high-society gossip

    The magazine is full of high-society gossip.

    She wore a designer gown to the high-society party.

    His high-society connections helped him get the job.

Common combinations

move in high society
After marrying the banker, she began to move in high society.
high-society wedding
The hotel hosted a high-society wedding last weekend.
high-society circles
He was well known in high-society circles.
a member of high society
She became a member of high society through her charity work.
high-society gossip
The newspaper column is full of high-society gossip.

Synonyms and how they differ

the upper class
This refers to people with the highest social rank, often because of birth or wealth, while 'high society' stresses fashionable social life and exclusive events.
the elite
This means the most powerful or privileged group in any area, not only in social life; 'high society' is specifically about wealthy, fashionable social circles.
the jet set
This is slightly old-fashioned and emphasizes rich people who travel constantly for pleasure, whereas 'high society' focuses on social status and events at home.

Word family

society noun
The general community of people living together, or an organized group with shared interests.
socialite noun
A person who is well known in fashionable high society and attends many social events.

Commonly confused: high society or upper class?

high society vs upper class

This is a social and economic category, while 'high society' is about fashionable social life and glamorous events. You can be upper class without being part of high society.

Practice

After her film won an award, she was welcomed into ___.

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