meritocrat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1-C2 level vocabulary)Formal, academic, political, sociological. Occasionally used in journalistic or critical discourse.
Quick answer
What does “meritocrat” mean?
A person who is powerful or holds high position because of their talent, intelligence, and effort, rather than wealth or social class.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is powerful or holds high position because of their talent, intelligence, and effort, rather than wealth or social class.
A member or advocate of a ruling or influential class selected on the basis of ability and achievement. The term can carry connotations of an exclusive, technocratic elite that believes its status is justified solely by its competence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is used in both varieties, primarily in academic/political commentary.
Connotations
In UK discourse, often associated with critiques of a specific post-war political/social elite (e.g., grammar school graduates). In US discourse, may be more associated with tech industry or corporate leadership ideologies.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK political and sociological writing, given the historical context of debates about social mobility and class.
Grammar
How to Use “meritocrat” in a Sentence
[be/consider] a meritocrat[describe/label/portray] someone as a meritocrat[rise/emerge] as a meritocratVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meritocrat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system aims to meritocratise the civil service.
- They sought to meritocratise recruitment.
American English
- The company tried to meritocratize its promotion process.
- Efforts to meritocratize the industry have met resistance.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'meritocratically', though very rare.] Positions were filled meritocratically.
American English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'meritocratically', though very rare.] The team was assembled meritocratically.
adjective
British English
- His meritocratic ideals were well-known.
- They championed a meritocratic selection process.
American English
- She operates in a meritocratic corporate culture.
- The school promotes a meritocratic ethos.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically or descriptively to refer to leaders who believe promotions should be based solely on measurable performance and IQ.
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, and history papers discussing social stratification, elites, and equality of opportunity.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used in educated discussion about politics or unfairness in society.
Technical
Precise term in sociological and political theory for an individual exemplifying meritocratic principles.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meritocrat”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meritocrat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meritocrat”
- Confusing 'meritocrat' (person) with 'meritocracy' (system). Incorrect: 'The company is a meritocrat.' Correct: 'The company is a meritocracy.' / 'He is a meritocrat.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. It can be positive when highlighting earned success, but often used negatively in critiques of systems that claim to be fair but perpetuate inequality.
A technocrat is an expert in a technical field who wields power based on that expertise. A meritocrat's claim to power is based on a broader sense of 'merit' (intelligence, effort, achievement), which may or may not be purely technical.
Yes, but the term emphasizes that their status is *justified* by their personal merit, not their wealth. However, the term is often applied to those who are perceived as 'self-made'.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term used mainly in academic, political, or journalistic analysis, not in everyday conversation.
A person who is powerful or holds high position because of their talent, intelligence, and effort, rather than wealth or social class.
Meritocrat is usually formal, academic, political, sociological. occasionally used in journalistic or critical discourse. in register.
Meritocrat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmer.ɪ.tə.kræt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.ə.t̬ə.kræt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to the noun. Related concept: 'rise through the ranks on merit']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MERIT + -OCRAT (like in 'aristocrat' or 'plutocrat'). A 'merit-o-crat' is a ruler (-crat) by merit.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A HIERARCHY / THE RULING CLASS ARE THE DESERVING. Often framed via the COMPETITION metaphor (winners and losers based on skill).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most closely related to 'meritocrat' in its systemic meaning?