bourgeois

4 synonyms for bourgeois, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Relating to the middle class, often used to criticise conventional, materialistic, or overly comfortable values.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

conservative

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

materialistic businessperson burgher

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Relating to the middle class, often used to criticise conventional, materialistic, or overly comfortable values.

“She dismissed the whole idea as a bourgeois obsession with property.”

conservative materialistic

2. noun

A member of the middle or property-owning class.

“The novel follows a wealthy bourgeois family in 19th-century Paris.”

businessperson burgher

Etymology

From French bourgeois, "town dweller," ultimately from a Germanic word related to "borough."

Full origin of bourgeois →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bourgeois” mean?

The word “bourgeois” means relating to the middle class, often used to criticise conventional, materialistic, or overly comfortable values. In plain terms, middle-class, often used with a critical edge to suggest someone is overly conventional or materialistic.

How do you pronounce “bourgeois”?

“Bourgeois” is pronounced BAWZH-wah (/bʊɹʒˈwɑː/ in IPA).

How do you use “bourgeois” in a sentence?

Here is “bourgeois” used in a sentence: “She dismissed the whole idea as a bourgeois obsession with property.”

What part of speech is “bourgeois”?

Depending on how it is used, “bourgeois” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “bourgeois” come from?

The word “bourgeois” comes from French. From French bourgeois, "town dweller," ultimately from a Germanic word related to "borough.".

Is “bourgeois” a common word?

“Bourgeois” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bourgeois” have?

“Bourgeois” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the middle class, often used to criticise conventional, materialistic, or overly comfortable values.

Related words

bourgeoise bourgeoisie embourgeoisement petit bourgeois petit-bourgeois petty bourgeois petty-bourgeois épater le bourgeois

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conservative materialistic burgher businessperson

Nearby words

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