plutocrat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “plutocrat” mean?
A person whose power derives from their wealth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whose power derives from their wealth.
Someone who uses wealth to exert influence, especially in political, economic, or social contexts, often critiqued for undermining democratic processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences between UK and US English.
Connotations
Generally pejorative in both dialects, suggesting criticism of wealth-based power.
Frequency
Equally rare in both UK and US English, primarily found in formal discourse such as political commentary or academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “plutocrat” in a Sentence
be a plutocratplutocrat who controlsplutocrat from a wealthy familyact like a plutocratVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions critiquing corporate power, wealth inequality, and the influence of money in business decisions.
Academic
Employed in political science, economics, and sociology to analyze elite theory, plutocracy, and power structures.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more likely encountered in news articles, political debates, or critical social commentary.
Technical
In technical contexts, refers to individuals within a plutocratic system, often in studies of governance and economic systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “plutocrat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “plutocrat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plutocrat”
- Mispronouncing with stress on the second syllable (e.g., 'ploo-TO-crat').
- Incorrectly using it as a verb (e.g., 'to plutocrat') or adjective (use 'plutocratic' instead).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A plutocrat is a person whose power comes from their wealth, often used to describe individuals who use money to influence politics or society.
No, it is a relatively rare and formal term, typically used in political, academic, or critical contexts rather than casual conversation.
It is generally used pejoratively to criticize the influence of wealth on power, though in some neutral contexts, it might describe wealth-based power without negative judgment, but this is less common.
An aristocrat derives power from noble birth or hereditary title, while a plutocrat derives power from wealth, regardless of social origin.
A person whose power derives from their wealth.
Plutocrat is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Plutocrat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpluː.tə.kræt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpluː.t̬ə.kræt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specific to 'plutocrat'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Pluto (Roman god of wealth) + -crat (from Greek 'kratos' meaning power or rule) → one who rules by wealth.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS POWER, MONEY IS A TOOL FOR DOMINATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a plutocrat?