nouveau-riche
1
9.1
- adjective
- /nuːˈvoʊ rɪˈʃ/
- Offensive
:
nuevo rico
- Some people see the nouveau-riche as lacking the subtlety and grace of those who have inherited their wealth.
Examples
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The nouveau-riche often flaunt their wealth with extravagant purchases that can seem over the top.
-
No matter what you think, you will always be a crude, obnoxious, nouveau-riche little fleeb.
-
On the other hand, the native Kinshasans' easy way of life, their vision of the world, and their craving for social standing are all denounced by the Mapeka, who are often nouveau riche immigrants from rural areas.
Academic text (1995) -
At the gala, the nouveau-riche stood out for their flashy attire and loud conversations.
Synonyms
9
7.2
Someone who rises quickly to wealth or position and seems rude
A person who recently became rich and lacks old upper-class manners
Antonyms
How Refined
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nouveau-riche comes from the French words nouveau 'new' and riche 'rich'. As an adjective it describes a style or behaviour that shows recent wealth and is often thought of as flashy or not refined, so people use it to point out tastes that seem showy rather than elegant.