rockefeller
n. countablen. a person who is extremely rich. It comes from the name of a famous American family known for their great wealth and business power.
n. an individual of immense wealth and influence, typically used as a metonym for the American industrialist John D. Rockefeller. Often used figuratively to describe anyone with vast financial resources.
He spends money like he is a Rockefeller.
Even though the family lived modestly, the neighbors joked that the father must be a secret Rockefeller.
From the German place name Rockenfeld.
From John D. Rockefeller, the American industrialist who founded Standard Oil, also recognized for his 20th century philanthropy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
When used as a common noun to mean 'a rich person', it is typically capitalized and takes an indefinite article.
Last updated May 6, 2026