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ostentatious

[ os-ten-tey-shuhs, -tuhn- ]
/ ˌɒs tɛnˈteɪ ʃəs, -tən- /
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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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to ostentatious

classy, conspicuous, extravagant, flamboyant, garish, gaudy, glittery, jaunty, splashy, swank, pretentious, boastful, chichi, crass, dashing, egotistic, exhibitionistic, flatulent, flaunted, fussy

How to use ostentatious in a sentence

  • 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 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
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