keeps up with the Joneses

A form of keep up with the Joneses — To act or make purchases for status or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends, neighbors, or society.

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Meanings

verb
  1. indicativepresentsingularthird personthird-person singular simple present indicative of keep up with the Joneses
Cite this entry
APA

keeps up with the Joneses. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keeps%20up%20with%20the%20Joneses

MLA

“keeps up with the Joneses.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keeps%20up%20with%20the%20Joneses. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keeps up with the Joneses,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keeps%20up%20with%20the%20Joneses.

Source: keeps up with the Joneses on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.