parvenue

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
  2. adjective of or characteristic of a parvenu

Etymology

Borrowed from French parvenue, feminine past participle of parvenir (“to arrive”), learned borrowing from Latin parvenire, from per- (“through”) + venire (“to come”).

Synonyms

nouveau-riche, parvenu, upstart

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