nouveau riche

Definition
  1. Noun (plural: ):
    • A person who has recently become wealthy, especially one who displays their new wealth in a showy or ostentatious manner, often lacking the refined tastes or social graces associated with old money.
Usage Examples
  • (People who recently became rich and flaunt it.)
  • (Criticism of those who lack subtlety in displaying wealth.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Nouveau riche" as a collective noun: can refer to a social class or group.

    • The nouveau riche often invest in luxury brands to signal their status. (The newly wealthy class as a whole.)

  • "Nouveau riche" in historical context: used to contrast with "old money" families whose wealth is inherited or long-established.

    • In 19th-century Europe, the nouveau riche industrialists were often snubbed by the aristocracy. (A social divide between new and old wealth.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Nouveaux riches (plural noun): multiple people of this type.

    • The nouveaux riches of the 1920s built extravagant mansions. (Several newly wealthy individuals.)

  • Nouveau-riche (adjective): describing something characteristic of the newly wealthy.

    • Their nouveau-riche taste was evident in the gold-plated furniture. (Reflecting a tacky, flashy style.)
Synonyms

  • Parvenu: a person who has risen above their social class, especially one who is considered an upstart.

    • He was dismissed as a parvenu by the old-money elite. (A derogatory term for a social climber.)

  • Upstart: a person who has suddenly gained wealth or power but is seen as lacking in breeding.

    • The upstart businessman tried to buy his way into high society. (A negative term for a newcomer.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Flaunt one's wealth: to show off money in a vulgar way (often used with ).
    • The nouveau riche family flaunted their wealth by buying a private jet. (Displaying wealth ostentatiously.)
Related Idioms

  • New money: a colloquial term for nouveau riche.

    • The resort is popular with new money from the tech industry. (Recently acquired wealth, as opposed to "old money.")

  • Bourgeois pretensions: a phrase describing the nouveau riche attempt to imitate upper-class manners.

    • Their bourgeois pretensions were obvious in the way they copied aristocratic customs. (A disdainful view of their social climbing.)

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