bourgeoise

[ boor-zhwahz, boor-zhwahz; French boor-zhwaz ]

noun

, plural bour·geois·es [boor, -zhwah-ziz, b, oo, r-, zhwah, -ziz, boo, r, -, zhwaz].

1. a female member of the bourgeoisie:

   As a bourgeoise herself, it was her constant policy to elevate and extend the influence of the middle classes.

   The simpler clothes marked her out as a working-class woman rather than a bourgeoise.

adjective

1. (of a woman, women's concerns, etc.) having, reflecting, or relating to conventional tastes, opinions, and values believed to be determined mainly by a concern for respectability and material wealth; middle-class:

   The movie has to do with careers, fashion, and emotional relationships among mostly idle, rich, bourgeoise females.

   The two women promptly joined corporate law firms, got plastic surgery, and are now enjoying a perfectly wonderful bourgeoise lifestyle.

2. (of a woman, women's concerns, etc.) belonging to, characteristic of, or consisting of members of the middle class, especially as viewed in Marxist theory; concerned with ownership of property and maintenance of the status quo, and having or catering to interests opposed to those of the lower or working class:

   The romance between these revolutionary youths and bourgeoise women was motivated by a longing for a life of danger.

   Socialist critics called the activist Women's Club a bourgeoise organization.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bourgeoise¹

First recorded in 1755–65; from French; feminine of bourgeois ¹

Example Sentences

The title of the inaugural TriBeCa show, “Outlaw Aesthetics,” advertised “downtown” loud and clear, as did the interruptive arrival on opening night of the artist Lorraine O’Grady in her debut turn as Mlle Bourgeoise Noire.

From New York Times

So did the first appearance of Lorraine O’Grady’s celebrated performance piece, “Mlle Bourgeoise Noire.”

From New York Times

While telling the mourners that her family is “living in dark days,” she also implied that her husband had been killed by the country’s leading bourgeoise families.

From Seattle Times

Mlle Bourgeoise Noire’s white-glove gown is in the Brooklyn show, as is a series of photographs documenting her New Museum appearance.

From New York Times

That probably didn’t happen until Mlle Bourgeoise Noire got a review in the Village Voice after the New Museum performance.

From New York Times