jet set
C2Informal, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A wealthy, fashionable social group characterised by frequent international travel for leisure.
The lifestyle of such a group, involving glamorous, fast-paced travel to exclusive destinations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used with a slightly dated (mid-20th century) or ironic connotation. The term is more descriptive of a lifestyle than a formal social class.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. The term originated in and is strongly associated with post-war Western media.
Connotations
Can imply superficiality, extravagance, and a focus on social status. In nostalgic contexts, it may evoke a glamorous 'Golden Age' of travel.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, primarily found in historical or lifestyle journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the + JET SET + verb (e.g., 'the jet set gathers', 'the jet set travels')adjective + JET SET + noun (e.g., 'jet set lifestyle', 'jet set destination')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Living the jet-set life”
- “Jet-set from... to...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in marketing for luxury travel or real estate targeting this demographic.
Academic
Very rare; used in sociological or historical studies of leisure and class.
Everyday
Rare; used with a knowing or ironic tone.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The newly wealthy couple began to jet-set between Gstaad and St. Tropez.
American English
- After her inheritance, she spent a year jet-setting around the Mediterranean.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The magazine showed pictures of the jet set at a film festival.
- Monaco has long been a favoured destination for the international jet set seeking tax advantages and exclusivity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a group of people who are always **SET** to board a **JET** plane for their next party.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS MOBILITY / SOCIAL STATUS IS ALTITUDE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'реактивный набор'. The correct equivalent is 'богема', 'золотая молодёжь', or 'светское общество'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to any frequent flyer (e.g., business travellers). The term implies leisure and social glamour, not work.
- Using it as a plural count noun without 'the' (e.g., 'He is a jet set' is incorrect; 'He is part of the jet set' is correct).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of the 'jet set'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is less common today and can sound nostalgic. Modern equivalents might be 'global elite' or 'one percenters', though these have different connotations.
Yes, but it's less common (e.g., 'a jet-set lifestyle'). The noun form 'the jet set' is standard.
A 'socialite' is a person prominent in fashionable society. The 'jet set' refers to the group and its characteristic lifestyle of frequent glamorous travel.
Primarily yes, but it extends to describe their lifestyle, destinations, and events (e.g., 'jet-set hotspot').
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