Home UK English haut bourgeois

Meaning of haut bourgeois in English:

haut bourgeois

(also haute bourgeois)

Pronunciation /ˌəʊ ˈbʊəʒwɑː/ /ˌəʊ ˈbɔːʒwɑː/

noun

  • A member of the upper middle class as a social grouping; an upper-middle-class person. Also (with the and plural agreement): such people considered as a group; = "high bourgeois [adjective]". Compare "petit bourgeois", "petty bourgeois".

adjective

  • Of, belonging to, or characteristic of the upper-middle class; = "high bourgeois [adjective]". Compare "petit bourgeois", "petty bourgeois".

Origin

Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Northern Star (Leeds). From French haut bourgeois from haut + bourgeois.