Parvenu (Noun)
Meaning
A person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The billionaire's flashiness and crass behavior marked her as a parvenu who couldn't wait to flaunt her newfound wealth, despite not being accepted by high society.
- After his sudden windfall, John moved to a luxurious mansion, but his rough demeanor and lack of refinement made him a laughingstock among the established elite, a classic parvenu.
- The parvenu politician's ostentatious displays of wealth and status only served to underscore his lack of breeding and taste.
- As a self-made millionaire, Sarah was seen as a parvenu by her wealthy neighbors, who looked down on her common upbringing and "new money" roots.
- Despite his immense wealth, the tech mogul's garish spending habits and poor manners led many to view him as a parvenu, unworthy of membership in the exclusive clubs he desperately wanted to join.