definitions

ostentatious

[ os-ten-tey-shuh s, -tuh n- ]
/ ˌɒs tɛnˈteɪ ʃəs, -tən- /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

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

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

Examples from the Web for 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

/ (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 ostentatiousness

ostentatious

adj.

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