ostentation

[os-ten-tey-shuhn, -tuhn-]

noun

1. pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others.

   Synonyms: extravagance, pretense, pretension, affectation

2. Archaic.,  the act of showing or exhibiting; display.

ostentation

/ ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. pretentious, showy, or vulgar display

Other Word Forms

• nonostentation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostentation¹

1425–75; late Middle English ostentacioun < Middle French ostentation < Latin ostentātiōn- (stem of ostentātiō ), equivalent to ostentāt ( us ) past participle of ostentāre to display, exhibit, frequentative of ostendere to present, display (equivalent to os-, var of ob- ob- + ten ( dere ) to stretch + -t- frequentative suffix + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Some of the graves have metal plates inscribed with a name and date of birth and death – though many do not as Islamic clerics do not encourage ostentation.

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The last time I was in New York, the then prime minister – with more than a splash of ostentation – took us reporters to the top of the Empire State Building for interviews.

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The museum was housed on a plain business campus with none of the ostentation and branding excess of American tech campuses.

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They may also look askance at displays of ostentation like designer gowns and showstopping wedding cakes.

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Sunday afternoon at Walt Disney Concert Hall, his arm movements lacked ostentation and could barely be seen from behind.

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When To Use

What are other ways to say ostentation?

Ostentation is the pretentious or conspicuous showing of one’s wealth or importance. How does ostentation compare to show, display, and pomp? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.