ostentatious
[ os-ten-tey-shuh s, -tuh n- ]
/ ˌɒs tɛnˈteɪ ʃəs, -tən- /
adjective
characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.
(of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice: Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.
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RELATED WORDS
gaudy, swank, splashy, flamboyant, extravagant, classy, garish, jaunty, conspicuous, glittery, pretentious, boastful, chichi, crass, dashing, egotistic, flatulent, fussy, gay, grandiose
Nearby words
ostensive definition, ostensively, ostensorium, ostensory, ostentation, ostentatious, osteo-, osteoanagenesis, osteoarthritis, osteoarthropathy, osteoarthrosis
Origin of ostentatious
Related formsos·ten·ta·tious·ly, adverbos·ten·ta·tious·ness, nounun·os·ten·ta·tious, adjectiveun·os·ten·ta·tious·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for ostentatious
British Dictionary definitions for ostentatious
ostentatious
/ (ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs) /
adjective
characterized by pretentious, showy, or vulgar display
Derived Formsostentatiously, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for ostentatious
ostentatious
1701, from ostentation + -ous. Earlier in a similar sense were ostentative (c.1600); ostentive (1590s). Related: Ostentatiously; ostentatiousness (1650s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper