What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
parvenue
Example
She was a parvenue who had made her fortune in the tech industry. [parvenue: noun]
Example
He felt like a parvenue at the fancy dinner party, surrounded by wealthy and influential people. [parvenue: adjective]
upstart
Example
The upstart CEO had no experience in the industry but managed to take the company public. [upstart: noun]
Example
She was seen as an upstart by her colleagues for questioning the traditional way of doing things. [upstart: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Upstart is more commonly used than parvenue in everyday language. Upstart is often used to describe someone who is seen as arrogant or presumptuous due to their sudden success, while parvenue is less common and has a more neutral connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between parvenue and upstart?
Both parvenue and upstart are formal words that are typically used in more literary or academic contexts. However, upstart is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while parvenue is less common and may be seen as outdated in some contexts.
