parvenue Definition
- 1a person who has recently acquired wealth or status, but has not yet gained acceptance into the upper class
- 2a person who has risen to a higher social or economic class but lacks the social skills or background of that class
Using parvenue: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "parvenue" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She was a parvenue who had made her fortune in real estate.
Example
The party was full of parvenues trying to fit in with the upper class.
Example
He may have money now, but he's still a parvenue at heart.
parvenue Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for parvenue
- upstart
- social climber
- nouveau riche
Phrases with parvenue
a group of people who have recently acquired wealth and status, but have not yet gained acceptance into the upper class
Example
The parvenue aristocracy was looked down upon by the old money families.
parvenue pretensions
the behavior or attitudes of a person who has recently acquired wealth or status, but has not yet gained acceptance into the upper class
Example
Her parvenue pretensions were evident in the way she talked and dressed.
parvenue manners
the social skills or behavior of a person who has risen to a higher social or economic class but lacks the social skills or background of that class
Example
Her parvenue manners were a source of embarrassment for her husband.
Origins of parvenue
from French 'parvenue', feminine past participle of 'parvenir', meaning 'to arrive'
Summary: parvenue in Brief
'Parvenue' [pahr-ven-yoo] refers to a person who has recently acquired wealth or status, but has not yet gained acceptance into the upper class. It is often used to describe individuals who lack the social skills or background of their new class. Examples include 'She was a parvenue who had made her fortune in real estate.' and 'The party was full of parvenues trying to fit in with the upper class.'
