Definition of Nouveau-riche

1. Noun. A person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class.

Exact synonyms: Arriviste, Parvenu, Upstart
Generic synonyms: Disagreeable Person, Unpleasant Person
Specialized synonyms: Climber, Social Climber, Junior
Derivative terms: Parvenu

2. Adjective. Characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position.
Exact synonyms: Parvenu, Parvenue, Upstart
Similar to: Pretentious
Derivative terms: Parvenu

Lexicographical Neighbors of Nouveau-riche

noursles
noursling
nous
nouse
nousell
nouselled
nousells
nouses
nousle
nousled
nousles
nousling
nout
nouthe
nouveau
nouveau-riche (current term)
nouveau riche
nouveaux riches
nouvelle
nouvelle cuisine
nouvelles
nova
nova remnant
nova remnants
nova scotia
novaculite
novaculites
novae
novakite
novalia

Literary usage of Nouveau-riche

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Passion of Labour by Robert Lynd (1921)
"IX The Nouveau Riche THERE has seldom been anyone more consistently ... The nouveau riche of to-day is despised even by the nouveau riche of yesterday. ..."

2. Italy: With Sketches of Spain and Portugal by William Beckford (1835)
"A nouveau riche.—His house.—Walk on the veranda of the palace at Belem.— Train of attendants at dinner.— Portuguese gluttony.— Black dose of legendary ..."

3. Last Days of Knickerbocker Life in New York by Abram Child Dayton (1896)
"... in woman's dress—Mrs. Croesus—Madame Nouveau-Riche—Woman's modesty and charm — Knickerbocker hospitality — Grandmother's pantry—Grandmother's parlor—The ..."

4. Last Days of Knickerbocker Life in New York by Abram Child Dayton (1897)
"... in woman's dress—Mrs. Croesus—Madame Nouveau-Riche—Woman's modesty and charm — Knickerbocker hospitality — Grandmother's pantry—Grandmother's parlor—The ..."

5. Correspondence & Conversations of Alexis de Tocqueville with Nassau William by Alexis de Tocqueville, Nassau William Senior (1872)
"'The modern nouveau riche,' said Beaumont, 'has little resemblance to M. Jourdain. He talks of his horses and his carriages, builds a great hotel, ..."

6. Piccadilly to Pall Mall: Manners, Morals, and Man by Ralph Nevill, Charles Edward Jerningham (1909)
"Another sort of nouveau riche of a more adventurous nature disdains all outside help and boldly pushes himself to the front, his first move being to blossom ..."

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