Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for parvenu. Search instead for parvenues.
Definitions

parvenu

[pahr-vuh-noo, -nyoo, pahr-vuh-noo, -nyoo] / ˈpɑr vəˌnu, -ˌnju, ˌpɑr vəˈnu, -ˈnju /
NOUN
newly rich
Synonyms


NOUN
upstart
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Chenoweth, who is as gleaming as a holiday ornament on Liberace’s Christmas tree, arrives at a canny balance of quixotic generosity and parvenu carelessness in her portrayal of a woman she refuses to lampoon.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 9, 2025

But Corya is no vulgar, narcissistic bully and parvenu.

From Slate May 21, 2020

Just as the parvenu tries to elevate himself into a higher social realm, the word climber wishes to seem more intelligent than he actually is.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 13, 2017

He comes across as a shrewd, well-meaning parvenu who savors the expensive, tacky trappings of his success but who has no mythic stature whatsoever.

From New York Times Jul. 4, 2013

The rich parvenu was very indignant, and as a rebuke took out a sovereign and placed it on the book-board.

From Lighter Moments from the Notebook of Bishop Walsham How by How, Frederick Douglas




Vocabulary lists containing parvenu


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training