Parvenu
noun
A person who has recently received a lot of money or a high social position and has not yet learned the appropriate manners.
Her neighbors viewed her as nothing more than a parvenu, lacking the sophistication of old money.
Often appears as...
- social parvenu
- nouveau parvenu
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Being or relating to somebody of importance or high standing who has recently attained it.
Despite their parvenu status, they managed to mix well with the older, established families in the community.
Often appears as...
- parvenu families
- parvenu class
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
noun
A person who has recently received a lot of money or a high social position and has not yet learned the appropriate manners.
Her neighbors viewed her as nothing more than a parvenu, lacking the sophistication of old money.
Often appears as...
- social parvenu
- nouveau parvenu
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Being or relating to somebody of importance or high standing who has recently attained it.
Despite their parvenu status, they managed to mix well with the older, established families in the community.
Often appears as...
- parvenu families
- parvenu class
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Social Climbing
Use 'parvenu' for someone new to wealth or status but seen as trying too hard to fit in.
The old elites saw him as a parvenu who tried to mimic them without grace.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Tone
'Parvenu' often carries a negative judgement about someone's social abilities.
She was labeled a parvenu for her ostentatious display of wealth.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
Understanding historical class systems will help with the connotations of 'parvenu'.
In Victorian novels, a parvenu was often shunned by the aristocracy.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Climbing
Use 'parvenu' for someone new to wealth or status but seen as trying too hard to fit in.
The old elites saw him as a parvenu who tried to mimic them without grace.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Tone
'Parvenu' often carries a negative judgement about someone's social abilities.
She was labeled a parvenu for her ostentatious display of wealth.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
Understanding historical class systems will help with the connotations of 'parvenu'.
In Victorian novels, a parvenu was often shunned by the aristocracy.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Climbing
Use 'parvenu' for someone new to wealth or status but seen as trying too hard to fit in.
The old elites saw him as a parvenu who tried to mimic them without grace.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Tone
'Parvenu' often carries a negative judgement about someone's social abilities.
She was labeled a parvenu for her ostentatious display of wealth.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
Understanding historical class systems will help with the connotations of 'parvenu'.
In Victorian novels, a parvenu was often shunned by the aristocracy.
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