country club: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “country club” mean?
A private social club located on extensive grounds, typically featuring golf, tennis, a swimming pool, and dining facilities, often with membership fees and exclusive access.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A private social club located on extensive grounds, typically featuring golf, tennis, a swimming pool, and dining facilities, often with membership fees and exclusive access.
An establishment or environment that symbolizes affluent, suburban, and socially exclusive lifestyles. Can be used metaphorically to describe any group or organization perceived as elitist or homogeneous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The concept and term originated in and are most prevalent in the US, where it is a standard part of the cultural landscape. In the UK, similar institutions exist but are more likely to be called 'golf clubs', 'private members' clubs', or simply 'clubs', with 'country club' being a less common, sometimes American-influenced term.
Connotations
In the US: Strongly associated with WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) culture, suburban wealth, and social stratification. In the UK: May be perceived as an Americanism; similar connotations of exclusivity apply but are attached more to historic 'gentlemen's clubs' in cities or specific sports clubs in the countryside.
Frequency
High frequency in American English, particularly in discussions of lifestyle, class, or real estate. Low to moderate frequency in British English, often in contexts referencing American culture or specific luxury establishments.
Grammar
How to Use “country club” in a Sentence
member of a/the country clubcountry club for [wealthy families]country club in [location]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “country club” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has a very country-club manner about him.
- The event felt too country-clb for my tastes.
American English
- She wore a country-club style of dress.
- His attitude is so country-club Republican.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate (e.g., 'homes near the country club'), marketing for luxury services, or discussions of corporate hospitality memberships.
Academic
Appears in sociological texts analyzing class, leisure, and social stratification in American society.
Everyday
Used in conversation when discussing hobbies, social circles, or aspirations related to affluent lifestyles.
Technical
Not typically a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “country club”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “country club”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “country club”
- Using it to refer to any club in the countryside (semantic error). Using 'country club' as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'He joined country club' instead of 'He joined *a/the* country club').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While traditionally on spacious grounds, many are located in affluent suburbs, which may be near urban areas. The 'country' refers more to the setting and amenities (golf courses, etc.) than to remote rural location.
Typically, no. Membership is usually by application, often requiring sponsorship from current members, payment of significant initiation fees and annual dues, and sometimes social vetting, making them exclusive.
A golf club is focused primarily on golf. A country club usually includes golf but also offers a wider range of social and athletic amenities (tennis, swimming, dining, events) and emphasizes a general social lifestyle.
It is used pejoratively to criticize perceived elitism, exclusivity, homogeneity (often racial, ethnic, or religious), and a focus on privilege and leisure over broader social engagement or meritocracy.
A private social club located on extensive grounds, typically featuring golf, tennis, a swimming pool, and dining facilities, often with membership fees and exclusive access.
Country club is usually formal, neutral in register.
Country club: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkʌntri ˈklʌb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkʌntri ˈkləb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live a country club lifestyle”
- “It's not a country club (implying a place requires work, not leisure)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COUNTRY (open land, suburbs) + CLUB (exclusive group). An exclusive group's playground in the leafy outskirts of town.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GATED COMMUNITY FOR LEISURE (emphasizes boundaries, exclusivity, and curated experience). A SYMBOL OF ARRIVAL (represents achieved social and financial status).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'country club' in American English?