celebutante: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Traditionally, the term referred to young women. However, contemporary usage, especially in media, sometimes applies it to men in similar situations (e.g., 'celebutant'), though it is less common and can sound forced.

No, it is almost always used in a critical or dismissive way. It implies that the person's fame is unearned, superficial, and based on wealth or connections rather than talent or hard work.

A 'socialite' is a person well-known in fashionable society, often for charity work or hosting parties. A 'celebutante' is a specific type of socialite whose primary claim to fame is simply being famous and seeking media attention; the term has stronger negative connotations.

It is a blend (portmanteau) of 'celebrity' and 'debutante'. It was first coined by American journalist Maury Paul in the 1930s and gained wider popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with the rise of celebrity-obsessed media.

A person who is famous primarily for being famous, often with no notable talent or achievement, typically from a wealthy background and active in social scenes.

Celebutante is usually informal, journalistic, often pejorative in register.

Celebutante: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛlɪbjuːˈtɑːnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˌlɛbjəˈtɑnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.