ostentation
Americannoun
-
pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others.
- Synonyms:
- extravagance, pretense, pretension, affectation
-
Archaic. the act of showing or exhibiting; display.
noun
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ostentation
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
Explanation
Ostentation is a pretentious or showy display (gaudy or flashy), usually designed to attract attention. Ostentation is a woman in a fur coat, covered in diamond jewelry, boarding a gold-plated private jet. The noun ostentation stems from the Latin word ostentationem, meaning "vain display." It is often associated with material items that showcase one's wealth and luxury. Ostentation might come to the minds of the other parents if you drive a Lamborghini to drop your kids off at school. A movie star's gas-guzzling, 400-foot yacht may also be considered by many as a symbol of ostentation.
Vocabulary lists containing ostentation
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Pride and Prejudice
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Heart of Darkness
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And she has gold lozenges painted all around the perimeter of her shroud, done tastefully, without obvious ostentation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
If you excuse the ostentation of the sentiment, Watters is absolutely correct.
From Slate • Mar. 8, 2025
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.
From BBC • Sep. 26, 2024
Sunday afternoon at Walt Disney Concert Hall, his arm movements lacked ostentation and could barely be seen from behind.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2023
It conforms to Alexander Pope’s definition of simplicity as “the mean between ostentation and rusticity.”
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
