bougie
"Bougie" is a colloquial term derived from the French word "bourgeoisie." It describes someone or something that displays a lifestyle, taste, or set of preferences associated with the upper-middle class or the wealthy. The mental image is someone who insists on expensive brands, high-quality ingredients, or upscale experiences, often to signal status. While it can sometimes be used as a mild, playful jab—like calling a friend "bougie" because they refuse to drink anything but artisanal coffee—it can also carry a negative connotation, implying that someone is pretentious or snobbish. It is most commonly used in casual, social settings among peers.
In conversation
Ordering coffee
Are you really getting the $9 gold-leaf latte?
Are you really getting the $9 gold-leaf latte?
Hey, treat yourself! It's the only way to start the day.
Hey, treat yourself! It's the only way to start the day.
You are so bougie sometimes.
You are so bougie sometimes.
Used here to tease a friend about their expensive taste.
Planning a trip
Should we stay at the hostel or the boutique hotel?
Should we stay at the hostel or the boutique hotel?
Let's go bougie this time and get a suite with a view.
Let's go bougie this time and get a suite with a view.
Used as a verb phrase to mean 'living luxuriously'.
Examples
She has such bougie taste in home decor.
She has such bougie taste in home decor.
We decided to skip the dive bar and go to a bougie cocktail lounge instead.
We decided to skip the dive bar and go to a bougie cocktail lounge instead.
Don't be so bougie; the street food here is actually better than the restaurant.
Don't be so bougie; the street food here is actually better than the restaurant.
