gentrify

[jen-truh-fahy]

verb (used with object), gen·tri·fied, gen·tri·fy·ing.

to alter (a deteriorated urban neighborhood) through the buying and renovation of houses and stores by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, raising property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.
to conform to an upper- or middle-class lifestyle; make appealing to those with more affluent tastes: Fish and chips have been gentrified.

verb (used without object), gen·tri·fied, gen·tri·fy·ing.

to undergo this type of change: Some neighborhoods gentrify more quickly than others.

Origin of gentrify

First recorded in 1970–75; gentry + -fy

Related formsgen·tri·fi·er, noun

"renovate inner-city housing to middle-class standards," by 1972, from gentry + -fy. Related: Gentrified, which was used from early 19c. of persons.