upstart Meaning & Definition
What Does Upstart Mean?
Upstart is a noun that means One who has suddenly gained wealth, power, or other prominence, but either has not received social acceptance or has become arrogant or presumptuous. It can also mean The meadow saffron. As an adjective, it means Acting like a parvenu. As a verb, it means To rise suddenly, to spring.
Upstart at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, adjective, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈʌp.stɑːt/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | parvenu, parvenue and nouveau-riche |
| Plural | upstarts |
| Comparative / superlative | more upstart, most upstart |
| Verb forms | upstarts, upstarting, upstarted |
Upstart Definition (Noun)
- One who has suddenly gained wealth, power, or other prominence, but either has not received social acceptance or has become arrogant or presumptuous.
- The meadow saffron.
Upstart as an Adjective
- Acting like a parvenu.
- Self-important and presumptuous.
Upstart as a Verb
- To rise suddenly, to spring
Synonyms of Upstart
Upstart synonyms and antonyms →Upstart in a Sentence
And his unready weapons gan in hand to take.
Word Forms & Grammar
upstart (plural upstarts)
upstart (comparative more upstart, superlative most upstart)
upstart (third-person singular simple present upstarts, present participle upstarting, simple past and past participle upstarted)
Words That Rhyme With Upstart
Origin of Upstart
From Middle English upstarten, upsterten, equivalent to up- + start.
Pronouncing Upstart
The standard pronunciation of upstart is /ˈʌp.stɑːt/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (ʌp).
Questions People Ask About Upstart
Is upstart a noun or an adjective?
Upstart is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective and a verb.
What is another word for upstart?
Close synonyms of upstart are parvenu, parvenue and nouveau-riche. See the full list of upstart synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of upstart?
The plural of upstart is upstarts.
What is the past tense of upstart?
The past tense of upstart is upstarted. The present participle is upstarting.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of upstart?
The comparative form is more upstart and the superlative form is most upstart.