Snobbery is the attitude of believing you're better than others because of things like money, education, taste, or social status, and treating people as inferior when they don't measure up to your standards. A person who practices snobbery is called a snob.

A snob might refuse to be friends with classmates whose families have less money, or mock someone for not knowing about classical music or fine art. A snob might insist that only certain books are worth reading, looking down on anyone who enjoys different stories. Some snobs care obsessively about brand names, treating people differently based on what they wear or own.

The heart of snobbery is using superficial measures to judge people's worth. A snob values appearances and credentials over character and kindness. They may work hard to impress others they consider important while dismissing those they consider beneath them.

Snobbery shows up everywhere: intellectual snobs who think they're smarter than everyone, social snobs who only care about popularity, or snobs about food, music, sports, or anything else.