parvenu Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
    arriviste; upstart; nouveau-riche.
  2. adjective satellite characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
    upstart; parvenue; nouveau-riche.
  3. adjective satellite of or characteristic of a parvenu
    parvenue.

WordNet

Par"ve*nu` noun
Etymology
F., prop. p.p. of parvenir to attain to, to succeed, to rise to high station, L. pervenire to come to; per through + venire to come. See Par, prep., and Come.
Definitions
  1. An upstart; a man newly risen into notice.

Webster 1913