nouveau
adj.adj. describes something that is new, modern, or has recently become successful. It often suggests that the thing or person lacks the history or style of older, more established versions.
adj. characterised by recent arrival, creation, or acquisition of status, often implying a lack of traditional refinement or established heritage. Frequently used in compound phrases borrowed from French.
The restaurant has a very nouveau style.
The neighborhood has changed as nouveau developments replace the historic brick houses that once defined the area.
While the nouveau riche are often criticized for their conspicuous consumption, their investment in the local economy provides a necessary stimulus that established families often fail to generate.
Unadapted borrowing from French nouveau. Recognized as English in 1828. Doublet of novel.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Typically used attributively before a noun; often appears in fixed expressions like 'nouveau riche' or 'Art Nouveau'.
Last updated May 9, 2026