snob
/snɔb/
The English word "snobbish" can be translated into French as snob. Wiktionary also lists snobinard.
Meaning: having the property of being a snob (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| snob | /snɔb/ |
| snobinard | /snɔ.bi.naʁ/ |
To describe someone with snobbish qualities, you can use the word snob. Depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, other French terms may be more precise: Hautain(e) describes someone who is arrogant or haughty, Dédaigneux(-se) denotes someone who is disdainful or contemptuous and Prétentieux(-euse) means pretentious. Additionally, the colloquial term Péteux(-euse) can characterize someone as snobbish or arrogant.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While snob is the standard term, snobinard is a more insulting and derogatory way to refer to a snob.
How do you pronounce it?
/snɔb/
Did you know?
- If you call someone péteux to mean they are snobbish, you are literally calling them 'farty' or someone who 'farts', implying they are full of hot air.
- While snob is used in French today, it was actually borrowed from English. In the 19th century, it entered the French language to describe people who imitated the manners of the upper class.
- In French culture, there is a distinction between being hautain and snob. While a snob seeks social validation from the elite, someone who is hautain simply looks down on others regardless of social climbing.
Examples in context
- Elle est hautaineShe is snobbish
- Il est prétentieuxHe's snobbish
- Ce garçon est un vrai snob.That boy is a real snob.
- Je n'aime pas son côté snob.I don't like his snobbish side.
- Elle est devenue un peu snob depuis son voyage.She has become a bit snobbish since her trip.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a new restaurant.
- GabrielTu veux essayer ce nouveau restaurant ?Do you want to try this new restaurant?
- ManonNon, je trouve que l'ambiance est trop snob.No, I find the atmosphere too snobbish.
- GabrielC'est vrai que les prix sont élevés.It's true that the prices are high.
- ManonOui, on dirait qu'ils sont très snobs.Yes, it seems like they are very snobbish.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snobbish” translations and entries snob, snobinard, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries snob, snobinard, CC BY-SA 4.0.
