Apedia

Arriviste Arrival Noun A Rih Veest Beginning Arrive Sense Achieving

Word arriviste
Date May 23, 2008
Type noun
Syllables a-rih-VEEST
Etymology An "arriviste" is someone who is just beginning to "arrive," in the sense of achieving success or making a name for oneself. Often the word can have slightly negative connotations, indicating a person who is highly aggressive or perhaps unscrupulous in his or her climb to the top. Like its synonym "parvenu," "arriviste" can also indicate a lack of certainty or confidence in one's newfound position. "Arriviste" is something of a new arrival itself, relatively speaking. English speakers borrowed the term from French in the early 20th century.
Examples The young entrepreneur was viewed as an arriviste in the business community, and many old-timers were leery of his ideas.
Definition : one that is a new and uncertain arrival (as in social position or artistic endeavor)

Tags: wordoftheday::noun

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