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bourgeoisie

boor-zhwah-ZEE /ˌbʊəʒ.wɑːˈziː/

nounC1GRESATUPSC

academichistoricalpolitical

The middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes; in Marxist theory, the class that owns the means of production.

In general usage, it can be derogatory, implying stuffy, conventional, or materialistic tastes. In Marxist sociology, it is a precise economic term for the capitalist class.

The story behind the word. In medieval Europe, a 'bourg' was a walled town. The 'bourgeois' were the town-dwellers—merchants, artisans, and professionals who were neither poor peasants working the land nor noble lords owning it. Over time, as trade grew, this middle class became incredibly wealthy, eventually overthrowing the nobility.

Word relationships

middle class: Middle class is a neutral, modern economic term, whereas bourgeoisie carries either Marxist political weight or cultural connotations of materialism.
capitalists: Capitalists refers strictly to those who invest capital in business, while bourgeoisie includes the broader social and cultural lifestyle of the wealthy middle class.

proletariat: The proletariat is the working class that does not own the means of production and must sell its labor to survive.

Commonly confused with

gentry: The gentry refers to land-owning aristocrats just below the nobility, whereas the bourgeoisie's wealth comes from trade, industry, and capital, not inherited land.

Word family

bourgeois (adjective): Characteristic of the middle class, typically with a negative connotation of being materialistic.

Collocations

petty bourgeoisie
ruling bourgeoisie
rise of the bourgeoisie
bourgeoisie values

Example sentences

"According to Karl Marx, the bourgeoisie exploits the working class by pocketing the surplus value of their labor." Marxist political theory
"The artist's paintings mocked the tastes of the local bourgeoisie, who bought art only as a status symbol." Cultural critique of consumerism

Memory hook

Think of a wealthy person buying a 'bourgeoisie' burger—an overpriced, gourmet burger with gold leaf, eaten just to show off their middle-class wealth. Bourgeoisie = the buyers and owners of the factories.

When not to use

Do not use to describe working-class people, manual laborers, or the extremely impoverished.

Fun facts

The term 'bougie' (or 'bourgie'), widely used in modern slang to describe someone acting high-class or fancy, is a direct abbreviation of bourgeois.