bougie

¹

Also bou·jie,
Or bou·jee

[boo-zhee, ‐jee]

adjective

Slang.

1. Sometimes Disparaging.,  relating to or characteristic of a person who indulges in some of the luxuries and comforts of a fancy lifestyle.

   He spends too much on bougie stuff he can’t afford.

2. Often Disparaging and Offensive.,  Also bourgie relating to or characteristic of a person who aspires to the upper middle class, especially when regarded as being elitist or snobbish.

   The bougie folks all left the old neighborhood and bought houses out there where their kids'll go to “good schools,” whatever that means.

3. relating to or characteristic of a person who flaunts newly acquired wealth without necessarily embracing the cultural values and pretensions of the upper middle class.

   that bougie feeling when you’re drinking high-end champagne—out of a red plastic cup.

bougie

²

[boo-jee, -zhee, boo-zhee]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a slender, flexible instrument introduced into passages of the body, especially the urethra, for dilating, examining, medicating, etc.

   2. a suppository.

2. a wax candle.

bougie

/ ˈbuːʒiː, buːˈʒiː /

noun

1. med a long slender semiflexible cylindrical instrument for inserting into body passages, such as the rectum or urethra, to dilate structures, introduce medication, etc

Sensitive Note

Bougie is often used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting, depending on the cultural or social context of its use. It originated as slang in the African American community, used disparagingly to describe wealthier or upwardly mobile people, usually other Black people, who were seen to be socially pretentious. It is now also used as a term of mild censure, referring in general to people who have expensive tastes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bougie¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; shortening and alteration of bourgeois ¹ ( def. )

Origin of bougie²

First recorded in 1745–55; from French, after Bougie (from Arabic Bujāyah ), town in Algeria, center of the wax trade

Word History and Origins

Origin of bougie¹

C18: from French, originally a wax candle from Bougie (Bujiya), Algeria

Example Sentences

Of course it is all illusion, but the flattering lighting and bougie boxed waters belie that revelation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I prefer it to a bougie massage.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Turns out, the dog was just being picky, as he later scarfed down a bougie natural formula.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are bakeries for dogs and even luxury boutiques for all your bougie little baby’s every need.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Sapphire Reserve and Platinum are the most famous players in the bougie—but not that bougie—market for credit cards that appeal to frequent travelers who are sick of airport concourses.

Read more on Slate

Related Words

• chic 
• classy 
• deluxe 
• elegant 
• exclusive 
• fashionable 
• grand 
• high-class 
• luxury 
• opulent 
• ritzy 
• swank 
• swanky 
• trendy 

When To Use

Spelling tips for bougie

The slang term bougie comes from a shortening and alteration of the word bourgeois, which is even harder to remember how to spell. How to spell bougie: Bougie is also sometimes spelled boujee, boujie, and boojie, but bougie is the most common spelling. Boogie is a different word altogether. To remember the vowel sequences in bougie (o-u, i-e), just remember this question: “Oh, you think I’m bougie, i.e. too fancy?”