pretentious
[pri-ten-shuhs]
- characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved: a pretentious, self-important waiter.
- making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.
- full of pretense or pretension; having no factual basis; false.
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Origin of pretentious
Synonyms
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
grandiose, stilted, arty, overblown, hollow, exaggerated, turgid, pompous, showy, ostentatious, affected, assuming, aureate, big, bombastic, chichi, conspicuous, extravagant, feigned, flamboyantExamples from the Web for pretentious
Contemporary Examples
Svein: To be very big on things, bordering on the pretentious, I see it as all of those things.
I have never felt that displaying these things was right, as her grandson it felt a little - if not a lot - pretentious.
Terry Richardson Denies Sexual Assault Allegations; André Leon Talley Resigns From Numero RussiaThe Fashion Beast Team
March 14, 2014
The comingling of the art and pop music worlds is pointless and pretentious.
It was becoming increasingly elitist, pretentious, and exclusive.
It was defined by its offensively high price, pretentious waiting lists and limited edition variations.
Historical Examples
It is the most pretentious feature of the book, and in its way about as good as any.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, CompleteAlbert Bigelow Paine
The house, too, had a pretentious air about it that promised well.
Confessions Of Con CreganCharles James Lever
And Marion delivered this speech with a most oracular and pretentious tone.
The Bramleighs Of Bishop's FollyCharles James Lever
The High Light proved to be the most pretentious resort in Goldpan.
The PlundererRoy Norton
Let no one rashly pronounce me a coxcomb, vain and pretentious, for all this.
Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2 (of 2)Charles Lever
pretentious
- making claim to distinction or importance, esp undeservedly
- having or creating a deceptive outer appearance of great worth; ostentatious
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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 pretentious
adj.
1836, from French prétentieux (17c.), from prétention "pretension," from Medieval Latin pretentionem (nominative pretentio) "pretension," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin praetendere (see pretend (v.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper