ostentation

Noun
US[aw-sten-tey-shuhn]/ˌɔstɛnˈteɪʃən/4 syllables
Synonyms: fanfareflashostentatiousnesspompositypompousnesspretentiousnesspuffinesssplashinessinflation

Open English WordNet

Noun (3)

  1. a gaudy outward displaySynonyms: fanfareflashType of displayKinds bravado, ritz, exhibitionism, splurge, pedantry
  2. lack of elegance as a consequence of being pompous and puffed up with vanitySynonyms: ostentatiousnesspompositypompousnesspretentiousnesspuffinesssplashinessinflationType of inelegance
  3. pretentious or showy or vulgar displayType of pretentiousness, pretension

Related words ostentatious adjective, show off verb

Word of the day · Oct 16About this word
bombasticadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Os′ten·ta′tion noun

Origin: L. ostentatio: cf. F. ostentation.

1. The act of ostentating or of making an ambitious display; unnecessary show; pretentious parade; — usually in a detractive sense. “Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm.” John Milton

He knew that good and bountiful minds were sometimes inclined to ostentation.— Francis Atterbury

2. A show or spectacle. obsolete William Shakespeare

Synonyms: Parade; pageantry; show; pomp; pompousness; vaunting; boasting. See Parade.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

Advertisement