Parvenu
Noun
UK
/ˈpɑː.və.njuː/
US
/ˌpɑːr.vəˈnjuː/
Level: Easy - A1 (Beginner)
Definition
A person who recently gained wealth or status but is socially inexperienced.
Example
"The parvenu bought a huge mansion to show everyone his new wealth."
"The parvenu moved into the wealthy neighborhood and threw a huge party to impress everyone."
"People often criticized the parvenu because he tried too hard to act like the wealthy class."
Explanation
A parvenu is someone who has recently gained wealth or social status but is not fully accepted by the established upper class. They may act proudly or show off their new status. For example, a person who becomes rich quickly and buys expensive clothes may be called a parvenu by traditional high-class society. The word often has a slightly negative meaning, suggesting that the person is new, inexperienced, or trying too hard to fit in.