a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
parvenu
How to use parvenu in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for parvenu.
Editorial note
That should keep out the ghastly parvenus I'd expect to be attracted to your sort of tawdry establishment.
Quick take
a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of parvenu gathered in one view.
characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
of or characteristic of a parvenu
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for parvenu.
noun
a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
See also: upstart, nouveau-riche, arriviste
adjective
characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
See also: nouveau-riche, parvenue
adjective
of or characteristic of a parvenu
See also: parvenue
Example sentences
That should keep out the ghastly parvenus I'd expect to be attracted to your sort of tawdry establishment.
Indeed, the French has such a problem with the obnoxious rich that they coined another phrase two centuries after Moliere to describe the same problem: parvenu.
These old families held a monopoly of the dogeship until 1382, at which time they were forced to admit the parvenu newcomers, or Curti, to the highest honor of the state.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use parvenu in a sentence?
That should keep out the ghastly parvenus I'd expect to be attracted to your sort of tawdry establishment.
What does parvenu mean?
a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
What part of speech is parvenu?
parvenu is commonly used as noun, adjective.