arriviste
noun
ar·ri·viste
ˌa-ri-ˈvēst
: one that is a new and uncertain arrival (as in social position or artistic endeavor)
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Arriviste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arriviste. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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