| / English Dictionary |
UPSTART
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A gymnastic exercise performed starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect position by arching the back and swinging the legs out and down while forcing the chest upright
Synonyms:
kip; upstart
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("upstart" is a kind of...):
gymnastic exercise ((gymnastics) an exercise designed to develop and display strength and agility and balance (usually performed with or on some gymnastic apparatus))
Sense 2
Meaning:
A person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
Synonyms:
arriviste; nouveau-riche; parvenu; upstart
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("upstart" is a kind of...):
disagreeable person; unpleasant person (a person who is not pleasant or agreeable)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "upstart"):
climber; social climber (someone seeking social prominence by obsequious behavior)
junior (term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An arrogant or presumptuous person
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Hypernyms ("upstart" is a kind of...):
disagreeable person; unpleasant person (a person who is not pleasant or agreeable)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "upstart"):
smart aleck; weisenheimer; wise guy; wiseacre; wisenheimer (an upstart who makes conceited, sardonic, insolent comments)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
Synonyms:
nouveau-riche; parvenu; parvenue; upstart
Classified under:
Similar:
pretentious (making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction)
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