social climber

Noun

Meaning

someone seeking social prominence by obsequious behavior

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

climber adventurer upstart snob adventuress parvenu self-seeker profiteer placeman arriviste vulgarian careerist jungle gym name dropper elitist

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Hypernyms

upstart parvenu arriviste nouveau-riche

Hyponyms

lion-hunter

Related terms

social mobility social ladder

Examples

In The Punch and Judy Man (1962), Hancock plays a struggling seaside entertainer who dreams of a better life; Sylvia Syms plays his nagging social climber of a wife, and John Le Mesurier a sand sculptor. Source: Internet

And before she hooked up with rising politician Razak in the '80s, there were rumors the social climber had eyes for the Sultan of Brunei. Source: Internet

But a small community can be home to a social climber with a private agenda, connections to help her fulfil it and a conviction that the community wants it. Source: Internet

This is confirmed by letter by his mother, who while a social climber and generally frivolous, is very loving to Grace and has never told her about her parentage. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

social circumstances social class social classes social climbers social climbing social club