adj Uncommon

bourgeois

BAWZH-wah

Bourgeois (adj) means relating to the middle class, often used to criticise conventional, materialistic, or overly comfortable values. Example: “She dismissed the whole idea as a bourgeois obsession with property.”

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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."

noun

A member of the middle or property-owning class.

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

How to use bourgeois

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMiddle-class, often used with a critical edge to suggest someone is overly conventional or materialistic.

When to use it

Frequently used dismissively or politically, especially in Marxist or left-leaning writing.

Easily confused with

bourgeoisie →

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

more bourgeois comparative, bourgeoised past tense, bourgeois plural, bourgeoises singular, most bourgeois superlative

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Fill the gap

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She dismissed the whole idea as a _____ obsession with property.

Etymology

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

Origin: French

Rhymes for bourgeois

Bois Lois Valois Dubois Artois chamois Illinois

See all rhymes for 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.

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Words with French origins