Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

pretentious

 - 3 dictionary results
Save at Amazon.com
Save on Popular Products! Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com

pre⋅ten⋅tious

  [pri-ten-shuhs]
Use pretentious in a Sentence
–adjective
1. full of pretense or pretension.
2. characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.
3. making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.
Origin:
1835–45; earlier pretensious. See pretense, -ious

Related forms:
pre⋅ten⋅tious⋅ly, adverb
pre⋅ten⋅tious⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. pompous. See bombastic. 3. showy. See grandiose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pretentious
Save at Amazon.com
Save on Popular Products! Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com
pre·ten·tious   (prĭ-těn'shəs)   
adj.  

  1. Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.

  2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious. See Synonyms at showy.

pre·ten'tious·ly adv., pre·ten'tious·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

pretentious 
1845, from Fr. prétentieux (17c.), from prétention "pretension," from M.L. pretentionem (nom. pretentio) "pretension," from L.L. prætensus "pretend" (see pretense).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see pretentious on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way