gentrified
Americanadjective
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very or excessively refined or elegant.
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subjected to gentrification.
Etymology
Origin of gentrified
Explanation
A gentrified neighborhood has transformed from being a poor, working-class area to one where wealthier people live. There are usually many places to buy a latte in a gentrified neighborhood, but very few minority-owned businesses. If an area is gentrified, it's gone through a transition. From a neighborhood that was inhabited by working-class and poor residents, often people of color, it's become wealthier and (usually) whiter. The buildings in a gentrified neighborhood may look tidier, with fixed-up homes and brand new businesses, but many of the people who were there for their whole lives can no longer afford to live there. Gentrified is rooted in gentry, "nobility," or "upper-middle class."
Vocabulary lists containing gentrified
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It happened place by place, inch by inch, a dusty disco ball left in the rummage while a Starbucks or a boutique gym rose to serve the freshly gentrified block around it.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026
The front MacPherson struts and rear multi-links have been upgraded and thoroughly gentrified.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
“I hope it doesn’t just turn into some gentrified market or something,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2024
He is concerned that individuals buying homes for a $1 may lead to areas being gentrified, which results in general rent levels being “jacked up” and people on lower incomes being “pushed out”.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2024
This is the Mission District, a gentrified hotbed of sushi, tapas, hip Mexican restaurants, and upscale furniture stores.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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