bourgeoise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “bourgeoise” mean?
The social class between the working class and the upper class, typically associated with business ownership, professional occupations, and conventional middle-class values.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The social class between the working class and the upper class, typically associated with business ownership, professional occupations, and conventional middle-class values.
A Marxist term referring to the capitalist class who own most of society's wealth and means of production, contrasted with the proletariat (working class). In non-Marxist contexts, it broadly denotes the middle class, especially with connotations of materialism, conventionality, and social conservatism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British academic/social commentary. In American English, 'middle class' is often preferred for the general social group, while 'bourgeoisie' retains a stronger Marxist/academic association.
Connotations
UK: Often used in critiques of social attitudes, 'middle-class' values. US: Stronger association with Marxist theory and historical analysis of class struggle.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions, but higher in academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bourgeoise” in a Sentence
The + adjective + bourgeoisie + verbBourgeoisie + of + geographical/political entityConflict between the bourgeoisie and the ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in analysis of market demographics or historical economic development.
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, history, and Marxist theory to analyse class structures and social change.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, often in a vaguely critical or ironic way (e.g., 'That's so bourgeois').
Technical
Core term in Marxist and sociological theory with a precise definition contrasting with 'proletariat'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bourgeoise”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bourgeoise”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bourgeoise”
- Misspelling: 'bourgeosie', 'bourgoisie'.
- Mispronunciation: putting stress on the first syllable (/ˈbʊəʒwɑː/). Correct stress is on the last syllable.
- Using it as an adjective (that's 'bourgeois'). 'Bourgeoisie' is strictly a noun for the class/group.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Bourgeois' is an adjective (e.g., bourgeois values) or a singular noun for a member of that class. 'Bourgeoisie' is a collective noun referring to the social class as a whole.
It is primarily a descriptive, academic term. However, due to its heavy use in Marxist critique, it often carries negative connotations of exploitation (in theory) or superficiality/conformity (in general use).
Imprecise. In Marxism, it specifically means owners of capital, not just the wealthy. In general use, it implies a middle-class social position and set of values, not necessarily extreme wealth.
No. In Marxist theory, the 'petty (or petite) bourgeoisie' are small business owners, artisans, and self-employed people who own some means of production but do not employ large numbers of workers, placing them in an ambiguous class position.
The social class between the working class and the upper class, typically associated with business ownership, professional occupations, and conventional middle-class values.
Bourgeoise is usually formal, academic in register.
Bourgeoise: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbʊəʒwɑːˈziː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbʊrʒwɑːˈziː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BOURGEOISIE' as the 'BOURG' (like 'burg' or town) + 'EOISIE' (sounds like 'easy'). The town-dwellers who had an 'easier' life than peasants, becoming the middle class.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLASS IS A LAYER (upper/middle/lower), CLASS IS A BATTLEFIELD (bourgeoisie vs. proletariat).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'bourgeoisie' most precisely and frequently used?