jeunesse doree
C2Literary; Historical; Formal
Definition
Meaning
The wealthy, fashionable, and often pleasure-seeking young people of an era, typically from privileged or aristocratic backgrounds.
A collective term for a privileged, elite, and often decadent youth culture characterized by wealth, leisure, and stylish indifference to broader social concerns.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a loan phrase from French. It is used as a singular collective noun (e.g., 'the jeunesse dorée') and has strong connotations of gilded, superficial, and sometimes irresponsible luxury. It often carries a critical or ironic tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and used with the same meaning in both dialects. The spelling with the acute accent (dorée) is standard, but the unaccented form is also common.
Connotations
Identical. Both associate it with European, particularly French, historical contexts (e.g., post-Revolutionary France, the Belle Époque).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Primarily encountered in literary, historical, or sophisticated journalistic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/Our/That era's] + jeunesse dorée + [plural verb]The jeunesse dorée of [place/time period]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Used in historical or sociological texts to describe specific social classes, e.g., 'The jeunesse dorée of the 1920s became a key consumer class.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the history book, the jeunesse dorée wore very fine clothes.
- The novelist satirised the city's jeunesse dorée, portraying their lives as full of luxury but devoid of purpose.
- The policies of the new regime were met with disdain by the jeunesse dorée, who continued their lavish entertainments in secluded salons, oblivious to the gathering political storm.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DOR'ée as 'DOOR' to a 'GOLDEN' life — the gilded youth who have the golden key to every door.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A GILDED SURFACE (beautiful and valuable on the outside, but potentially hollow or less valuable beneath).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating to 'золотая молодёжь' without understanding the critical/ironic historical nuance. The Russian term is a calque but is used more broadly and positively.
- Do not confuse with modern slang for simply 'rich kids'. It implies a specific, often historical, cultural elite.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'jeunesse doree' (without accent) is common and generally accepted, but 'dorée' is correct. / Using it as a plural countable noun (e.g., 'three jeunesses dorées') is incorrect; it is a collective singular.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /dʒuːˈnɛs/ instead of the French-origin /ʒəˌnes/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'jeunesse dorée' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically neutral-to-negative, carrying connotations of superficiality, privilege, and detachment from societal realities. It is rarely used as a pure compliment.
You can, but it will sound deliberately literary, historical, or ironic. Modern synonyms like 'trust-fund kids' or 'the ultra-wealthy elite' are more common in contemporary discourse.
The first word is pronounced roughly like 'zher-NESS' (/ʒəˌnes/). The second is 'dor-AY' (/dɔˈreɪ/). The 'j' is a voiced 'zh' sound, not a 'j' as in 'jump'.
It is a collective singular noun. Use singular verbs: 'The jeunesse dorée was (not were) notorious.' However, it refers to a group of people.