plutocrat
|plu-to-crat|
/ˈpluːtəkræt/
power from wealth
Etymology
'plutocrat' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ploutokratēs', where 'ploutos' meant 'wealth' and 'kratos' meant 'power'.
'ploutokratēs' entered modern usage via New Latin/French formations (compare New Latin 'plutocratia' and French 'ploutocrate') and appeared in English as 'plutocrat' in the 17th–18th century.
Initially it referred to 'rule or government by the wealthy' and later came to be used for 'an individual who is wealthy and exercises power or influence because of that wealth'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of a ruling class whose power derives from wealth; a person who exercises power because of great wealth.
Many regarded the industrialists who influenced government policy as plutocrats.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/13 15:24