ostentatious

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

/ ˌɒs tɛnˈteɪ ʃəs, -tən- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: ostentatious / ostentatiously / ostentatiousness 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.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of ostentatious

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

synonym study for ostentatious

1. See grandiose.

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

How to use ostentatious in a sentence

For two years, and very ostentatiously, Sarkozy has bitten his tongue.
Sarkozy’s Surveillance Scandal|Tracy McNicoll|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The consul was a keen golfer, so Cunningham ostentatiously visited the clubhouse with his clubs and an overnight bag.
Week in Death: The Woman Who Cracked Hitler’s Codes|The Telegraph|November 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Brotherhood cadres have been ostentatiously preparing "paramilitary" units, but they are really just street gangs.
Morsi-less: Are Egyptians Done with the Muslim Brothers?|Hussein Ibish|July 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And one of them was very ostentatiously eating fried chicken.
The Economic History of Stereotypes|Megan McArdle|June 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

"Never mind," said Isabel, as Gwynne mopped his brow for the third time and ostentatiously rubbed his face.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Ostentatiously he borrowed a stepladder and stretched the cloth across the front of his store, from post to post.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
Indignation nerved her spirit as she reflected upon the usurpation thus ostentatiously displayed.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
In Castile was ostentatiously displayed and lavishly spent great fortunes made in remote provinces by oppression and corruption.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
But while Montagu was hated, Eric was at the zenith of popular favour, a favour which Brigson ostentatiously encouraged.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar

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

Origin of ostentatious

synonym study for ostentatious

OTHER WORDS FROM ostentatious

Words related to ostentatious

How to use ostentatious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ostentatious

Derived forms of ostentatious