What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bougee
Example
She always shops at designer boutiques and stays at luxury hotels. She's so bougee! [bougee: adjective]
Example
He only drinks champagne and eats at fancy restaurants. He's such a bougee person! [bougee: noun]
pretentious
Example
She constantly name-drops famous people to seem important. She's so pretentious! [pretentious: adjective]
Example
He talks about obscure literature just to show off his intelligence. He's such a pretentious person! [pretentious: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pretentious is more commonly used than bougee in everyday language. Pretentious is a widely recognized term that can be used in various contexts to criticize someone's behavior. On the other hand, bougee is a more recent slang term that is not as commonly known or used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bougee and pretentious?
While bougee is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, pretentious can be employed in both formal and informal contexts. Pretentious is a more versatile word that can be used to describe behavior in a wide range of situations.
