ostentatious
[os-ten-tey-shuh s, -tuh n-]
- 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.
Show More
Origin of ostentatious
Synonyms for ostentatious
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com1. See grandiose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for ostentatiousness
greatness, splendor, elegance, richness, array, exhibit, parade, demonstration, act, presentation, example, radiance, majesty, show, brilliance, pomp, glitter, style, swank, lavishnessExamples 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 MusicianFrederick Niecks
But it would be a great mistake to infer that this ostentatiousness of authority concealed real servility.
SwiftLeslie Stephen
ostentatious
- characterized by pretentious, showy, or vulgar display
Show More
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
1701, from ostentation + -ous. Earlier in a similar sense were ostentative (c.1600); ostentive (1590s). Related: Ostentatiously; ostentatiousness (1650s).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper