Definition of parvenu in English:
parvenu
noun ˈpɑːvənuːˈpɑːvənjuːˈpɑrvəˌn(j)u
derogatory A person of humble origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrity.
the political inexperience of a parvenu
as modifier cynical parvenu bureaucrats
Example sentencesExamples
- You rather liked parvenus: they had energy; they knew what they wanted.
- And yet one often hears the bitterness of a displaced generation: ‘How many out of this avalanche of parvenus will stay the course?’
- The others are parvenus and upstarts in comparison.
- He presented himself as a supremely patrician figure, so different from the vulgar parvenues of the Thatcher cabinet.
- It sounds good that some of the parvenus have volunteered to pay taxes.
Synonyms
upstart, social climber, arriviste, vulgarian
the nouveau riche, the new rich
Origin
Early 19th century: from French, literally 'arrived', past participle of parvenir, from Latin pervenire 'come to, reach'.
Definition of parvenu in US English:
parvenu
nounˈpɑrvəˌn(j)uˈpärvəˌn(y)o͞o
derogatory A person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrity.
the political inexperience of a parvenu
as modifier he concealed the details of his parvenu lifestyle
Example sentencesExamples
- You rather liked parvenus: they had energy; they knew what they wanted.
- He presented himself as a supremely patrician figure, so different from the vulgar parvenues of the Thatcher cabinet.
- The others are parvenus and upstarts in comparison.
- And yet one often hears the bitterness of a displaced generation: ‘How many out of this avalanche of parvenus will stay the course?’
- It sounds good that some of the parvenus have volunteered to pay taxes.
Synonyms
upstart, social climber, arriviste, vulgarian
Origin
Early 19th century: from French, literally ‘arrived’, past participle of parvenir, from Latin pervenire ‘come to, reach’.