Parvenu

usgb/ˈpɑːrvənuː/
noun

A person who has recently received a lot of money or a high social position and has not yet learned the appropriate manners.

Her neighbors viewed her as nothing more than a parvenu, lacking the sophistication of old money.
Visual representation of "parvenu" - A person who has recently received a lot of money or a high social position and has not yet learned the appropriate manners.

Often appears as...

  • social parvenu
  • nouveau parvenu

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "parvenu"
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Social Climbing

Use 'parvenu' for someone new to wealth or status but seen as trying too hard to fit in.

Illustration for Social Climbing
The old elites saw him as a parvenu who tried to mimic them without grace.
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Negative Tone

'Parvenu' often carries a negative judgement about someone's social abilities.

Illustration for Negative Tone
She was labeled a parvenu for her ostentatious display of wealth.
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Cultural Context

Understanding historical class systems will help with the connotations of 'parvenu'.

Illustration for Cultural Context
In Victorian novels, a parvenu was often shunned by the aristocracy.
Visual representation of the word "Parvenu"

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