nouveau riche — meaning in English
French → English · translate English → French instead
English meaning
- upstart noun Someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it.
Senses
nouveau riche is used for these senses in English:
- nouveau riche (pejorative) New money; wealthy persons whose fortunes are newly acquired, and who are therefore perceived to lack the refinement of those who were raised wealthy.
- upstart One who has suddenly gained wealth, power, or other prominence, but either has not received social acceptance or has become arrogant or presumptuous.
upstart — full definition
- noun Someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it.
- adj Acting self-important or presumptuous, especially given a short time in a position.