bourgeois: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, political, socio-economic discourse, historical analysis, criticism (often negative).
Quick answer
What does “bourgeois” mean?
Relating to the social middle class, typically characterized by conventional, materialistic, and conformist values.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the social middle class, typically characterized by conventional, materialistic, and conformist values.
Pertaining to the capitalist class (the bourgeoisie) in Marxist theory; can also denote a focus on material possessions, comfort, and conventional social attitudes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly. The French pronunciation is slightly more common in British English, while the anglicised version is more common in American English. The term is generally more frequent in UK socio-political discourse.
Connotations
Strong negative/pejorative connotations in both varieties when used in cultural/social criticism (e.g., 'bourgeois taste'). In academic/political writing, it is a neutral descriptor of a social class.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, particularly in historical, political, and cultural commentary. Less common in everyday American speech.
Grammar
How to Use “bourgeois” in a Sentence
ADJ + ~ (bourgeois values)~ + NOUN (a bourgeois family)VERB + ~ (criticise the bourgeois)PREP + ~ (revolt against the bourgeois)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bourgeois” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Their bourgeois obsession with perfectly manicured lawns was quite stifling.
- The play is a satire on bourgeois hypocrisy in Victorian England.
American English
- He rejected his parents' bourgeois lifestyle and moved to a commune.
- The critique focused on the bourgeois values promoted by the media.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in analyses of consumer behaviour ('targeting the bourgeois market').
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, history, and cultural studies. Key term in Marxist theory ('the bourgeoisie and the proletariat').
Everyday
Used with a critical or ironic tone to describe someone's conventional tastes or materialism ('That's so bourgeois'). Not common in casual conversation.
Technical
A precise socio-economic classification, especially in Marxist discourse. Also used in art history/criticism (e.g., 'bourgeois drama').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bourgeois”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bourgeois”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bourgeois”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., /bɜːrˈɡwɑː/). Confusing singular 'bourgeois' (person/adj.) with collective noun 'bourgeoisie' (the class). Using it as a purely neutral synonym for 'middle-class' without recognising its critical connotations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most often, yes. Outside of neutral academic or historical description, it is used critically to label someone or something as overly conventional, materialistic, or lacking in cultural sophistication.
'Bourgeois' is an adjective or a singular noun for a member of the middle class. 'Bourgeoisie' (pronounced /ˌbʊəʒwɑːˈziː/) is a collective noun referring to the middle class as a whole, especially in Marxist theory.
Rarely. It might be used positively by someone valuing stability, hard work, and domestic comfort, but this is uncommon. The term is overwhelmingly critical or neutral.
Yes, etymologically. Both derive from words related to a town dweller or freeman of a borough ('burg'). 'Bourgeois' came into English from French, while 'burgher' came from Dutch/German.
Relating to the social middle class, typically characterized by conventional, materialistic, and conformist values.
Bourgeois is usually formal, academic, political, socio-economic discourse, historical analysis, criticism (often negative). in register.
Bourgeois: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbʊrˈʒwɑː/ or /ˈbʊrʒwɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BORE-geois' – someone so conventional and focused on material comfort they might seem boring to free spirits.
Conceptual Metaphor
MIDDLE CLASS IS MEDIOCRE / CONVENTIONALITY IS A PRISON / MATERIAL WEALTH IS SPIRITUAL POVERTY.
Practice
Quiz
In a non-Marxist, cultural context, 'bourgeois' most commonly implies: