cultural capital: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumFormal, Academic, Sociological
Quick answer
What does “cultural capital” mean?
The knowledge, behaviours, skills, and educational credentials that confer social status, privilege, and power within a particular society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The knowledge, behaviours, skills, and educational credentials that confer social status, privilege, and power within a particular society.
A concept in sociology and anthropology describing non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as high-status cultural tastes, manners, intellectual pursuits, and forms of social connection. It is used to explain social stratification beyond economic factors.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. The concept originates in French sociology and is used identically in both varieties in academic discourse.
Connotations
Retains its academic/sociological connotations in both varieties. In informal use, it can sometimes carry a slightly cynical or critical connotation regarding class privilege.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British academic and media discourse due to a longer tradition of sociological class analysis, but widely used in American sociology and education studies.
Grammar
How to Use “cultural capital” in a Sentence
X possesses/accumulates cultural capital.Y's cultural capital gives him/her an advantage.To convert cultural capital into social/economic capital.Cultural capital derived from X.A form of cultural capital.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cultural capital” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The parents sought to cultural-capital-ise their children through private tutors and museum visits.
- He culturally capitalised on his Oxbridge degree.
American English
- They worked to capitalize culturally on their Ivy League connections.
- The program aims to help students accrue cultural capital.
adverb
British English
- This was understood, cultural-capital-wise, as a major faux pas.
- He spoke cultural-capital-fluently.
American English
- She was, culturally speaking, very well-capitalized.
- They acted from a position of high cultural capital.
adjective
British English
- A cultural-capital advantage is often invisible.
- His cultural-capital resources were considerable.
American English
- Her cultural-capital assets helped her navigate the corporate world.
- There's a significant cultural-capital gap between the schools.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in HR or diversity & inclusion contexts to discuss unconscious bias in hiring based on candidates' backgrounds.
Academic
Very common, especially in sociology, education, anthropology, and cultural studies. Used as a core theoretical concept.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Might appear in 'highbrow' media discussions about class, education, or social inequality.
Technical
Core term in sociology with specific definitions (e.g., embodied, objectified, institutionalised cultural capital).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cultural capital”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cultural capital”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cultural capital”
- Using it to mean simply 'money invested in the arts'.
- Using it as a synonym for 'cultural knowledge' without the connotation of social power/privilege.
- Confusing it with 'social capital' (networks and relationships).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term was popularized and theorized by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu in the 1970s, building on earlier sociological thought.
Not exactly. Being 'cultured' implies personal refinement. Cultural capital is a sociological concept about how that refinement (or specific types of knowledge/taste) functions as a social asset that creates advantage and reinforces class boundaries.
A job candidate who mentions having attended an elite university, uses formal, 'prestige' dialect, and is familiar with the art or literature referenced by the interview panel is deploying cultural capital to gain an advantage.
Cultural capital refers to your knowledge, tastes, and credentials. Social capital refers to the value of your social networks, relationships, and connections. They often work together; your cultural capital can help you build social capital with certain groups.
The knowledge, behaviours, skills, and educational credentials that confer social status, privilege, and power within a particular society.
Cultural capital is usually formal, academic, sociological in register.
Cultural capital: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈkapɪtl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈkæpɪtl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as your "culture bank account." The more high-status books, art, manners, and knowledge you 'deposit', the more social 'interest' you earn in terms of respect and opportunities.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURE IS CURRENCY/CAPITAL. Knowledge and taste are assets that can be invested, accumulated, and spent to gain social profit.
Practice
Quiz
In sociology, 'cultural capital' is most closely related to which of the following concepts?