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

Even Venezuela’s upstart neighbor Guyana will soon surpass it.

From Barron's

Major battles are retold using dioramas, interactive maps and narratives that focus on the broader war between the upstart colonists and the British.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wall Street trading floors are closed, but the American pastime has become prime time for upstart financial platforms known as prediction markets.

From Barron's

Another cargo upstart, One Air, launched two years ago with one converted 32-year-old Boeing 747, initially flew into London, but has since relocated to East Midlands Airport, located in the English countryside outside of Derby.

From The Wall Street Journal

Circle and Ripple were among the crypto upstarts that received approval on applications filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

From The Wall Street Journal