noun

upstart

UHP-staht

Upstart (noun) means someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it. Example: “The old partners resented the young upstart who took over the firm.”

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.

"The old partners resented the young upstart who took over the firm."

"Critics dismissed her as an upstart, ignoring how hard she'd worked to get there."

adj

Acting self-important or presumptuous, especially given a short time in a position.

"His upstart attitude annoyed colleagues who had been there for decades."

How to use upstart

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that has risen fast and hasn't earned respect for it yet — often used with a dismissive edge.

Common mistake

Almost always carries a slightly negative or dismissive tone, even when used as a plain description.

Common pairings

an upstart company a young upstart dismissed as an upstart

Word forms

more upstart comparative, upstarted past tense, upstarts plural, upstarts singular, most upstart superlative

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The old partners resented the young _____ who took over the firm.

Etymology

From Middle English upstarten, "to spring up" — built from up + start, since an upstart seems to appear suddenly from nowhere.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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arriviste nouveau riche parvenu

Related words

rich arriviste parvenu snob

Frequently asked questions

What does “upstart” mean?

The word “upstart” means someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it. In plain terms, someone (or something) that has risen fast and hasn't earned respect for it yet — often used with a dismissive edge.

How do you pronounce “upstart”?

“Upstart” is pronounced UHP-staht (/ˈʌp.stɑɹt/ in IPA).

How do you use “upstart” in a sentence?

Here is “upstart” used in a sentence: “The old partners resented the young upstart who took over the firm.”

What is another word for “upstart”?

Words with a similar meaning to “upstart” include arriviste, nouveau riche and parvenu.

What part of speech is “upstart”?

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

Where does the word “upstart” come from?

The word “upstart” comes from Middle English. From Middle English upstarten, "to spring up" — built from up + start, since an upstart seems to appear suddenly from nowhere.

How many meanings does “upstart” have?

“Upstart” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it.

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