the nouveau riche

the nouveau riche

Collectively, the members of a class of newly wealthy people, as opposed to those who have inherited their wealth. The term often implies that the newly acquired wealth is being flaunted or spent ostentatiously. Old money families knew how to be the pillars of the community, but the nouveau riche just buy cars and mansions.See also: nouveau, riche

the ˌnouveau ˈriche

(from French, disapproving) people who have recently become rich and like to show how rich they are in a very obvious way: As a member of the nouveau riche, Tom can often be seen at New York’s most fashionable venues.The meaning of the French phrase is ‘new rich’.See also: nouveau, riche