1. A person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
   "The nouveau-riche struggled to fit in with the old money crowd";
   - upstart, parvenu, arriviste [informal]

1. Characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
   "Their nouveau-riche neighbours threw lavish but tacky parties";
   - parvenu, parvenue, upstart

Derived forms: nouveau-riches

See also: pretentious

Type of: disagreeable person, unpleasant person

Encyclopedia: Nouveau-riche