nouveau riche

noun

nou·veau riche ˌnü-ˌvō-ˈrēsh

plural nouveaux riches ˌnü-ˌvō-ˈrēsh

Synonyms of nouveau riche next

: a person newly rich : parvenu

Examples of nouveau riche in a Sentence

a nouveau riche who is reportedly using his money to buy his way into Palm Beach society

Recent Examples on the Web But do those same rules apply to the newly wealthy, especially a nouveau riche couple who is also Black? —

Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 22 May 2024 What was true then for the nouveau riche is true now for authoritarian countries: hosting and succeeding in the Olympic Games are textbook acts of conspicuous consumption. —

Dawn Brancati, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2021 Cut to four years later, when Rita is living the life of the nouveau riche in London. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2024 In February 2022, Ms. Peterson, an author and art collector, was surrounded by a new clientele: the crypto nouveau riche, who made a temporary home of the art market. —

Zachary Small, New York Times, 18 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for nouveau riche

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nouveau riche.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, literally, "newly rich"

First Known Use

circa 1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of nouveau riche was circa 1796

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nouveau riche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nouveau%20riche. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.

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