ostentatious

[ os-ten-tey-shuhs, -tuhn- ]
See synonyms for: ostentatiousostentatiouslyostentatiousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.

  2. (of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice:Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.

Origin of ostentatious

1
First recorded in 1650–60; ostentat(ion) + -ious

synonym study For ostentatious

1. See grandiose.

Other words from ostentatious

  • os·ten·ta·tious·ly, adverb
  • os·ten·ta·tious·ness, noun
  • un·os·ten·ta·tious, adjective
  • un·os·ten·ta·tious·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ostentatious in a sentence

  • As in the old days of the Rusholme Road, Batterby flung his money about with unostentatious generosity.

  • His unostentatious mode of travelling merely gave an excuse for not treating him with much respect.

  • It was in this unostentatious, this half-furtive fashion, that his visits to London now usually occurred.

    The Regent | E. Arnold Bennett
  • He is extremely modest and unostentatious in manner and all who know him speak of him in terms of praise.

  • And in his great joy he never lost one of his most beautiful natural graces, the grace of an unostentatious humility.

    Bella Donna | Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for ostentatious

ostentatious

/ (ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs) /


adjective
  1. characterized by pretentious, showy, or vulgar display

Derived forms of ostentatious

  • ostentatiously, adverb

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