pretentious

American  

[pri-ten-shuhs] / prɪˈtɛn ʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved.

   a pretentious, self-important waiter.

   Synonyms:

   pompous

2. making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.

   Synonyms:

   showy

3. full of pretense or pretension; having no factual basis; false.

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pretentious British  

/ prɪˈtɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. making claim to distinction or importance, esp undeservedly

2. having or creating a deceptive outer appearance of great worth; ostentatious

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Related Words

See bombastic. See grandiose.

Other Word Forms

• pretentiously adverb
• pretentiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of pretentious

First recorded in 1835–45; earlier pretensious; equivalent to pretense + -ious

Example Sentences

That’s the burden of a comedy devoid of wasted dialogue or pretentious cleverness – and that merely refers to the joke setups and punchlines.

From Salon

It’s performance as artistic expression, the graceful ideal of the sport, and I don’t care how pretentious that sounds.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You know: Latin. Most names have a meaning in one of the old languages. Latin, Old Norse, Old Centaur, Old Arabian. Old Manticore, if your parents take you to a namer who’s a bit pretentious.”

From Literature

One might say that, three years ahead of the show’s jump to YouTube, Academy voters are making a concerted effort to distance themselves from the perception that the Oscars are elitist and pretentious.

From Salon

“It forced itself upon me. You know, when authors say words like, ‘There was no other choice than to write this thing,’ I always thought it sounded a little pretentious,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arty
• exaggerated
• grandiose
• hollow
• overblown
• pompous
• showy
• stilted
• turgid