Nearby Words

pretentious

[pri-ten-shuhs] Example Sentences Origin

pre·ten·tious

[pri-ten-shuhs]
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

pre·ten·tious·ly, adverb
pre·ten·tious·ness, noun

portentous, pretentious.


2. pompous. See bombastic. 3. showy. See grandiose.

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Pretentious is an SAT word you need to know.
So is collaborate. Does it mean:
entailing little expense or requiring few resources
to work together or cooperate, as on a literary work; to cooperate, usually willingly, with an enemy nation, such as with an enemy occupying one's country
Example Sentences
  • But with its pretentious aura, it doesn't have any idea how ludicrous it is.
  • Don't be pretentious or racist or sexist or judge people by their background.
  • But consider the pretentious piece of tripe in which he is, let us say with kindness, currently trapped.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
pretentious (prɪˈtɛnʃəs)
 
adj
1.  making claim to distinction or importance, esp undeservedly
2.  having or creating a deceptive outer appearance of great worth; ostentatious
 
pre'tentiously
 
adv
 
pre'tentiousness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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