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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The central question of whether love can conquer money is almost outshone by the film’s dazzling surroundings and Rachel’s nouveau riche friends, played perfectly by Awkwafina and Ken Jeong. —

Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024 The unspoken rule, now very much spoken, was created by the old money elite, hoping to elevate themselves above the nouveau riche, or newly wealthy. —

Jordan Green, The Arizona Republic, 3 Sep. 2024 The show never quite nails Hiaasen’s satirical edge, his very specific perspective on Florida’s grifters and interlopers, settling for soft mockery of corrupt institutions and the nouveau riche. —

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for nouveau riche

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 22 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation