As a pejorative term, nouveau riche describes the vulgarity and ostentation of the newly rich individual who lacks the worldly experience and value system of old money, or inherited wealth, such as the …

nouveau riche noun nou· veau riche ˌnü-ˌvō-ˈrēsh plural nouveaux riches ˌnü-ˌvō-ˈrēsh Synonyms of nouveau riche : a person newly rich : parvenu

Nouveau riche people are people from a low social class who have recently become very rich and like to show this publicly by spending a lot of money.

The term nouveau-riche is a derogatory term meant to mock people who have a lot of money but don't have the good taste to spend it in a "classy" way. The implication is that it's more socially acceptable …

The nouveaux riches are people who have only recently become rich and who have tastes and manners that some people consider vulgar.

Feb 14, 2026 · nouveau riche (countable and uncountable, plural nouveaux riches) (derogatory) New money; wealthy persons whose fortunes are newly acquired, and who are therefore perceived to lack …

Factsheet What does the word nouveau riche mean? There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the word nouveau riche. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

nouveau riche (n.) "one who has recently acquired wealth; a wealthy upstart," 1808 in reference to England; 1803 in reference to France, a French phrase, literally "new rich" (plural nouveaux riches).

Definition of nouveau riche noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

NOUVEAU RICHE definition: a person who is newly rich. See examples of nouveau riche used in a sentence.