Dictionary.com

petite bourgeoisie

[ puh-teet -boor-zhwah-zee; French puh-teet boor-zhwa-zee ]
/ pəˈtit ˌbʊər ʒwɑˈzi; French pə tit bur ʒwaˈzi /

noun

the portion of the bourgeoisie having the least wealth and lowest social status; the lower middle class.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.
Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of petite bourgeoisie

Borrowed into English from French around 1915–20

Words nearby petite bourgeoisie

petit beurre, petit bourgeois, petit déjeuner, petite, petite bourgeoise, petite bourgeoisie, petite marmite, petit feu, petit four, petition, petitionary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020