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.

Origin of ostentatious

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

Related formsos·ten·ta·tious·ly, adverbos·ten·ta·tious·ness, nounun·os·ten·ta·tious, adjectiveun·os·ten·ta·tious·ly, adverb

Synonyms for ostentatious

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ostentatious ON THESAURUS.COM

1. See grandiose.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for ostentatiousness

greatness, splendor, elegance, richness, array, exhibit, parade, demonstration, act, presentation, example, radiance, majesty, show, brilliance, pomp, glitter, style, swank, lavishness

Examples from the Web for ostentatiousness

Historical Examples of ostentatiousness

Ostentatiousness had, I am afraid, more to do with it than love of art for art's sake.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician
Frederick Niecks
But it would be a great mistake to infer that this ostentatiousness of authority concealed real servility.
Swift
Leslie Stephen

British Dictionary definitions for ostentatiousness

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 ostentatiousness

ostentatious

adj.

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