What does blueblood mean?
A blueblood is a person of noble or aristocratic ancestry — someone born into a family of long-standing social rank, titles, or privilege. The term originated in Spanish as sangre azul ('blue blood'), referring to the pale skin of Castilian nobles whose unblemished, untanned complexion made their veins appear blue, signalling that they had no Moorish or peasant intermarriage in their lineage. English adopted the expression in the early nineteenth century, and it has since broadened beyond literal royalty to describe anyone from an old, distinguished family — or, figuratively, anything of elite pedigree. In modern usage the word often carries an ironic or critical edge, suggesting inherited privilege rather than earned merit. A writer might contrast a blueblood heiress with a self-made entrepreneur, or note that a political dynasty produced another blueblood candidate. It is a vivid shorthand for class, lineage, and the enduring power of birthright.
nounA person of noble, aristocratic, or high-born ancestry. The term is also used figuratively for anything of pure or distinguished lineage.
- A person of noble or aristocratic descent.
- Figuratively, anything of pure, rarefied, or elite pedigree.
"Though she married a commoner, the duchess remained a blueblood at heart."
"The gala was filled with European bluebloods and old-money industrialists."
"He may have been born a blueblood, but he preferred to earn his own reputation."
Regular countable plural used when referring to multiple individuals of noble birth.
"The ballroom glittered with bluebloods from every royal house in Europe."
The phrase comes from the pale veins of Spanish nobles — their fair skin made 'blue blood' visible, proving they hadn't mixed with Moorish populations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blueblood
Blueblood translates the Spanish sangre azul ('blue blood'), a phrase used by Castilian nobility to signal pure, unmixed descent from the old Christian aristocracy. The idea was that fair-skinned nobles showed bluish veins, unlike those whose lineages included Moorish, Jewish, or peasant ancestors whose descendants worked outdoors and had darker complexions. The expression entered English in the early nineteenth century and spread through other European languages, becoming a standard term for aristocratic birth across British and American usage.
Related word forms
How blueblood is actually used
Often used with mild irony or social commentary; can carry connotations of entitlement or detachment from ordinary life.
Easily confused with blueblood
A hotblood is a spirited, hot-tempered person (or breed of horse), while a blueblood denotes noble birth rather than temperament.