ostentatious

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

/ ˌɒs tɛnˈteɪ ʃəs, -tən- /

SEE 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.

Words nearby ostentatious

ostensive, ostensive definition, ostensorium, ostensory, ostentation, ostentatious, osteo-, osteoanagenesis, osteoarthritis, osteoarthropathy, osteoarthrosis

Origin of ostentatious

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

SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious

1 See grandiose.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM ostentatious

os·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. 2020

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
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
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 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

/ (ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs) /

adjective

characterized by pretentious, showy, or vulgar display

Derived forms of ostentatious

ostentatiously, 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

ostentatious

adjective

Words related to ostentatious

Words nearby ostentatious

Origin of ostentatious

SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious

OTHER WORDS FROM ostentatious

Examples from the Web for ostentatious

British Dictionary definitions for ostentatious

adjective

Derived forms of ostentatious