noun
- neighbors or social peers whose lifestyle or possessions are used as a standard for comparison
Usage: informal; typically used in the phrase ‘keeping up with the Joneses’
Examples
- She felt pressure to keep up with the Joneses by buying a new car.
- The family went into debt trying to match the Joneses’ lifestyle.
- Don’t worry about what the Joneses think of your old furniture.
- Keeping up with the Joneses can lead to financial problems.
- The Joneses next door just bought a swimming pool.
- He stopped trying to impress the Joneses and focused on his own goals.