glitterati, n. pl. slang (orig. U.S.).
(glɪtəˈrɑːtiː)
[Punningly f. glitter n.1 (glittering ppl. a., etc.) + -ati, as in literati n. pl.]
The celebrities or ‘glittering’ stars of fashionable society, or of the literary and show-business world. Also transf.
| 1956 Time 12 Mar. 124/3 Bobbing and weaving about the premises are a passel of New York glitterati. There is a highbrow editor of a popular magazine who is keen on starting a new literary journal [etc.]. 1978 N.Y. Times Mag. 23 July 23/2 So say the formerly beautiful people, once the jet set, now called the glitterati, which appears to be a combination of literati, or illuminati, with a glittering generality. 1982 Radio Three Mag. Dec. 47/1 But they too appeared apprehensive about the impact on the generous but clear warmth of the empty hall of those 2,812 black tie, bejewelled glitterati. 1984 Times 14 Mar. 14/5 One member of the glitterati..offered to send her own hairdresser to Billie's hotel. |