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Definition of nouveau

nouveau

/nuːˈvoʊ/
nou · veau
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nouveau Lexical Profile

nouveau Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Newly arrived, recently developed, or modern and up-to-date, sometimes implying a lack of established tradition or refinement.

Example

"The downtown district is filled with trendy bistros serving nouveau cuisine to young professionals."

2

Denoting a light, fruity red wine intended to be drunk shortly after the harvest in which it was produced rather than aged.

Example

"Every November, local wine merchants celebrate the arrival of the season's Beaujolais nouveau."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

When describing wine (such as 'Beaujolais nouveau') or art movements ('Art Nouveau'), this French loanword is frequently placed after the noun it modifies, whereas in general English usage it precedes the noun and often carries a slightly ironic or pretentious undertone.

• Rhymes for nouveau

• Nearby Words

nourishing
nourishingly
nourishment
nouveau
nova
novel
novelette

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed directly from French 'nouveau' ('new'), from Old French 'novel', ultimately deriving from Latin 'novellus', a diminutive of 'novus' ('new').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nouveau. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nouveau
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