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nouveau-riche

nouveau-riche

9.2
A person who recently became rich and shows wealth in a loud, not elegant way
  • noun
  • /nuːˌvoʊ ˈriːʃ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : nuevo rico
  • Siegel and his wife are the quintessential tasteless nouveau riche one encounters in Florida.

Examples

  • They call them nouveau riche.

  • Francesco was a nouveau riche silk merchant and Lisa was from an old noble family with no money.

  • Klimt uses gold to confer status on the nouveau riche women of Vienna, to suggest opulence, wealth and beauty.

  • "Building a big house in the U.S. and calling it the Versailles fits perfectly into the Siegel and wife persona of tasteless Florida nouveau riche.

    Blog text (32)
  • He's he's the nouveau riche guy who doesn't fully understand the rules, but he's got more dynamism, he's willing to take chances.

  • The couple threw lavish parties, giving off the unmistakable vibe of nouveau riche status.

  • At the gala, several guests gossiped about the nouveau riche who flaunted their wealth with extravagant outfits.

  • In the world of fine art, the nouveau riche often buy expensive pieces to display their newfound wealth.

Synonyms

new money
vsnouveau-riche
14 4.8

People or families who recently became rich and show their wealth publicly

highlights lack of culture and refinement rather than only recent wealth
upstart
vsnouveau-riche
  • Offensive
11 7.4

A person who rises quickly to wealth or power and seems rude

is viewed for lacking upper class culture rather than for sheer arrogance
parvenu
vsnouveau-riche
  • Formal
1 9.9

A person who recently became rich but is not accepted by high society

focuses on lack of upper class refinement rather than acceptance issues
nouveau riche
vsnouveau-riche
  • Offensive
1 8.5

People who have recently become rich and often show their wealth

is the singular form focusing on one newly wealthy individual
arriviste
vsnouveau-riche
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who recently became rich or important and shows off, not accepted by older social groups

is regarded as lacking culture rather than being openly showy

Antonyms

38 6.5

A person from the highest social class, often by birth or title

How Refined

old money
1 6.9
affluent
1 6.0
nouveau-riche
  • Offensive
9.2

Surface Forms

nouveau-riche singular

Etymology

Nouveau-riche comes from the French words nouveau 'new' and riche 'rich'. It literally means 'new rich' and is used for a person who has just gained money and may be seen as lacking the manners or taste of long-standing wealthy families, which is why the term often sounds critical.