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ostentatious

[os-ten-tey-shuh s, -tuh n-]
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adjective
  1. characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.
  2. (of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice: Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.
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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

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1. See grandiose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ostentatiousness

Historical Examples

  • 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
  1. characterized by pretentious, showy, or vulgar display
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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).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper