ostentatious
[ os-ten-tey-shuhs, -tuhn- ]
/ ˌɒs tɛnˈteɪ ʃəs, -tən- /
Save This Word!
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
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
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, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
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 NiecksBut 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, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012