Plutocrat
/ˈpluː.tə.kræt/noun
A person who rules or exerts power because of great wealth.
Did you know?The word is built from Greek Ploutos, the god of wealth, and -krates, the same ruling suffix behind “democracy” and “aristocracy,” so its roots are literally political and divine.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ploutos
“wealth, riches”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-krates
“ruler, one who has power or mastery”
Late 19th Century
English
plutocrat
“a person whose power comes from wealth”
Modern English
English
plutocrat
“a very wealthy person who has political or social influence”
Explore more surprising origins