upstart

American  

[uhp-stahrt, uhp-stahrt] / ˈʌpˌstɑrt, ʌpˈstɑrt /

noun

1. a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence.

2. a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; parvenu.

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adjective

1. being, resembling, or characteristic of an upstart.

verb (used without object)

1. to spring into existence or into view.

2. to start up; spring up, as to one's feet.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to start up.

upstart British  

noun

1. 1. a person, group, etc, that has risen suddenly to a position of power or wealth

   2. ( as modifier )

      an upstart tyrant

      an upstart family

2. 1. an arrogant or presumptuous person

   2. ( as modifier )

      his upstart ambition

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verb

1. archaic (intr) to start up, as in surprise, etc

Other Word Forms

• upstartness noun

Etymology

Origin of upstart

1275–1325; Middle English (v.); up-, start

Example Sentences

Local newsrooms have been hit hard by layoffs and closures, struggling to transition from print to digital and facing competition from social-media platforms and niche upstarts.

From The Wall Street Journal

The success of these upstarts means many of the more familiar names will spend the rest of January watching football on the couch.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then, in Thursday’s Rose Bowl, Alabama was embarrassed by Indiana, the upstart of all upstarts.

From The Wall Street Journal

To understand just how this inside info has turned Texas Tech into college football’s most surprising upstart, simply look at two of the Red Raiders’ offensive stars.

From The Wall Street Journal

But like many former giants, IBM lost its leadership to upstarts as the personal computer and software eras surpassed mainframes.

From The Wall Street Journal