adj
nouveau
noo-VOH
adj
1
New or fashionably modern, often used ironically or in borrowed French phrases.
"The gallery specializes in art nouveau pieces from the early 1900s."
How to Use Nouveau
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFrench for "new"; usually seen in borrowed terms like "art nouveau" or "nouveau riche."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
art nouveau
nouveau riche
Word Forms
nouveaus plural, nouveaux plural
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The gallery specializes in art _____ pieces from the early 1900s.
Etymology
A direct borrowing from French nouveau, "new" — a doublet of the English word "novel."