blue blood

[bloo bluhd, bloo bluhd]

noun

1. an aristocrat, noble, or member of a socially prominent family.

2. aristocratic, noble, or socially prominent lineage or relatives.

   They boasted a lineage of pure blue blood.

blue blood

noun

1. royal or aristocratic descent

Other Word Forms

• blue-blooded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue blood¹

1825–35; translation of Spanish sangre azul. See sanguine, azure

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue blood¹

C19: translation of Spanish sangre azul

Example Sentences

The baseball world is sensing a Dodger vulnerability, as if there’s blue blood in the water.

From Los Angeles Times

Where there were concerns in the past about USC having enough resources to compete with other blue bloods, Bowden says he has no such worry.

From Los Angeles Times

Grainy game footage and yellowed newspaper clippings confer UCLA’s standing as college basketball royalty, the team’s status as a blue blood rooted in the success of a coach who retired nearly 50 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

With costs escalating and the networks increasingly dependent on the big brands to generate market-setting ratings, the blue bloods have greater influence than they did even a decade ago.

From Seattle Times

The conference is devoid of football blue bloods, which is both a weakness and a strength.

From Seattle Times