(pronounced bahn-vee-VAHNT)

This fun, cheerful word is French (“But, of course!” said in an over-the-top accent), and it literally means “good liver.” Not in the organ sense, but in the sense of one who lives well. More distinctively, it means one who is culturally refined and has perfect social taste, especially when it comes to cuisine and wine.

Example: Nigel absolutely loved his new clients. Not only did they have multiple homes in multiple countries in need of extensive remodeling, but they were quite the bon vivants and loved to treat him to sumptuous dinners at the best restaurants London had to offer.