View synonyms for

lower class

[ loh-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a class of people below the middle class, having the lowest social rank or standing due to low income, lack of skills or education, and the like.
(broadly) working class.

lower-class

[ loh-er-klas, -klahs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of the lower class:
lower-class values.

lower class

noun

the social stratum having the lowest position in the social hierarchy Compare middle class upper class working class

adjective

of or relating to the lower class
inferior or vulgar

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lower class¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Origin of lower class²

First recorded in 1890–95

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Under Shell's control, it became a successful weekly guide to women who found themselves in charge of both a household and a budget to outsource the daily drudgery to the lower classes.

From

Doctors’ orders could be more harmful than beneficial, and hospitals were only for the lower classes, while the wealthy received medical care at home.

From

Xocolatl “was mostly an upper-class extravagance, although the lower classes enjoyed it occasionally at weddings or other celebrations,” according to History.

From

Lavin was the grandchild of Russian immigrants, and in later years she often played variations on the Jewish mother — lower class, middle class, upper class.

From

Naturally, people commemorated this miracle by imbibing copious amounts of wine, or for the lower classes, beer or cider.

From

Related Words

Lower Chinook lowerclassman

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