Petty bourgeois

usgb
noun

A person who belongs to the lower middle class, usually owning a small business or property.

His family was considered petty bourgeois due to their ownership of a small bakery.
Visual representation of "petty bourgeois" - A person who belongs to the lower middle class, usually owning a small business or property

Often appears as...

  • petty bourgeois values
  • petty bourgeois class

Usage tips

Formal

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "petty bourgeois"
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Social Class

Indicates a specific social and economic group often involved in small-scale commerce or ownership.

Illustration for Social Class
The petty bourgeois shop owners were prime targets for the new tax legislation.
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Not Wealthy

Suggests modest wealth, neither poor nor rich, usually self-employed or owning small enterprises.

Illustration for Not Wealthy
She prided herself on her petty bourgeois success, owning a little florist shop.
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Cultural Context

Often used in a historical or political context to analyze class dynamics within society.

Illustration for Cultural Context
The revolution was sparked by the dissatisfaction of the petty bourgeois and workers alike.
Visual representation of the word "Petty bourgeois"

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