bourgeois

bour-geois · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Belonging to or characteristic of the middle class, typically with conventional attitudes and materialistic values.

  2. 2.

    (Marxist) Of or relating to the capitalist class who own the means of production.

  3. 3.

    A member of the middle class; a capitalist.

Forms

plural: bourgeois (invariable)

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bourgeois values — conventional, materialistic middle-class attitudes
  • •
    petty bourgeois — the lower middle class

Related words

Antonyms: aristocratic, bohemian, proletarian
See also: bourgeoisie, capitalism, proletariat
Synonyms: conventional, materialistic, middle-class

Etymology

From French "bourgeois" (citizen of a town), from Old French "burgeis," from "burc" (town, fortress), ultimately from Late Latin "burgus." Originally neutral, it acquired pejorative connotations through Marxist usage.