Definition
parvenue
noun
- a woman who has recently acquired wealth, status, or position and is regarded as lacking the refinement or taste expected of that social class
Usage: feminine form of parvenu; often carries a tone of disapproval or social criticism
Examples
- The old-money families dismissed her as a parvenue who didn't understand their traditions.
- She was labeled a parvenue by society critics who questioned her sudden rise to prominence.
- Despite her wealth, the parvenue struggled to gain acceptance in elite circles.
- The novel's protagonist is a parvenue navigating the complexities of high society.
- Critics called her a parvenue, suggesting her success was unearned and her manners unrefined.