ostentatious

[os-ten-tey-shuh s, -tuh n-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

Origin of ostentatious

First recorded in 1650–60; ostentat(ion) + -ious

SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious

1. See grandiose.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious ON THESAURUS.COM

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

And most of the contemporization sounds like what it is—an ostentatious, slightly ill-fitting suit slipped onto a stiff.
Michael Jackson’s Posthumous Album, ‘Xscape,’ Is a Confused, Shameless Money Grab|Andrew Romano|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An ostentatious display of Japanese military might could scuttle those negotiations.
Japan Prepares to Shoot North Korean Missiles Out of the Sky|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The extraordinary price for the ostentatious gown proves that fascination with Princes Diana remains as strong today as ever.
'Fairytale' Diana Dress Makes $140,000 At Auction|Tom Sykes|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the photo, the ostentatious monument is undercut (literally) by a temporary stall selling wares in its niche.
Charles Marville Captures the Rebirth of 1800s Paris in New Exhibition|William O’Connor|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They were not ostentatious as much as they were happy—in a grownup, made-peace-with-it-all way.
Gucci by Sunlight|Robin Givhan|September 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
What, and like town-bred, ostentatious nobles; only to splendid company?
The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor, Vol. I, No. 6, June 1810|Various
A restless, ostentatious, far-grasping, strong-handed man; who kept the world in a stir wherever he was.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol, II. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
He threatens to kill the young favorite; but Semiramis has resumed her ostentatious manner and music, and will not heed his words.
Stars of the Opera|Mabel Wagnalls
He adopted a very extravagant and ostentatious style of living.
Richard I|Jacob Abbott
The very few public dinners that are held are served with ostentatious meagreness to escape criticism.
The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II|Burton J. Hendrick

British Dictionary definitions for ostentatious

ostentatious

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

adj.

1701, from ostentation + -ous. Earlier in a similar sense were ostentative (c.1600); ostentive (1590s). Related: Ostentatiously; ostentatiousness (1650s).

ostentatious

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of ostentatious

Examples from the Web for ostentatious

ostentatious

adjective

ostentatious