Word of the Day: PARVENU

Social climber or snob

parvenu (noun) - someone who has risen in social class without the background or qualifications for the new status; nouveau riche [pahr-vuh-noo]

BREAKDOWN: PER- (through) + VEN- (to come)

• parvenu as an adjective means recently advanced in social or economic status without commensurate social skills or grace

See also: coven, contravene

"Social rank has always been one of the pricier commodities sold in the great American department store... As one generation of parvenu rich acquires the means to buy the patents of nobility, it looks down upon the next generation of arrivistes as clubfooted upstarts.” ― Lewis Lapham

[Fun Word Friday introduces more advanced or technical words that are based on word roots. Yes, these words may still be tested on standardized exams. Try to use this word in a sentence today!]