social climber

noun

: one who attempts to gain a higher social position or acceptance in fashionable society
social climbing noun

Examples of social climber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the first season of HBO Max’s Emmy-winning The Gilded Age, the women of the Van Rhijn family discuss the invitation of social climber Bertha Russell to an upcoming party in Newport, Rhode Island. AFAR Media, 3 July 2025 Set free from the limitations of lyricist Rice’s crass social climber, the actress finds much more expression and emotion in the second half, as Eva navigates ambition, public perception and illness. Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025 There actually is something at stake for these women, which frees them up for a desperate kind of humor, in the vein of those plucky social climbers in a screwball comedy from an earlier era. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 1 May 2025 From the dynastic Dupree family to the conniving social climbers bent on usurping their place at the top of the social hierarchy, the historic new daytime drama is all about its characters. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for social climber

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social climber was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Social climber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20climber. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

social climber

noun
: one who attempts to gain a higher social position or be accepted in fashionable society

More from Merriam-Webster on social climber

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