Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Characterized by or given to ostentation. synonym: showy.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Making public display.
  • Characterized by ostentation; making display or vain show from vanity or pride.
  • Showy; gaudy; intended for vain display: as, ostentatious ornaments.
  • Synonyms Dashing, flaunting. See ostentation.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Fond of, or evincing, ostentation; unduly conspicuous; pretentious; boastful.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Of ostentation.
  • adjective Intended to attract notice.
  • adjective Of tawdry display; kitsch.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective intended to attract notice and impress others
  • adjective (of a display) tawdry or vulgar

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Originated 1650–60; ostentation+-ious.

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Examples

  • After all, Swanson had practically invented the word ostentatious.

    Rhapsody In Time Judith O’Brien 1994

  • After all, Swanson had practically invented the word ostentatious.

    Rhapsody In Time Judith O’Brien 1994

  • A dance performed in ostentatious costumes, usually representing characters from the Robin Hood tradition such as Maid Marian and Friar Tuck.

    Annotations To The Text of _Wat Tyler_ 2007

  • His long, stricken pause when she asks him to come up with another word for "ostentatious" is as funny as his fumbling answers: "Delicious?

    Matt's TV Week in Review 2010

  • Well, if ostentatious is what you strive for in your digital equipment you’ll love the Douglas.

    iPod killers for Christmas: III 2005

  • We dined anywhere from seven to nine, and soothed each other's irritation by calling ostentatious attention to the delicacy and perfection of each dish as it came on the table.

    At Home with the Jardines Lilian Bell

  • By Gerry Baldo 08/18/2009 Sensing the public outrage that hasn't subsided over what has been described as the ostentatious and luxurious lifestyles of President Arroyo and her entourage displayed during her New York has sent a memorandum to the Office of the Press Secretary, saying the New York Post report on the pricey dinner of President Gloria

    WN.com - Articles related to Developing Economies Like Egypt Can Lead the World Out of Recession 2009

  • By Gerry Baldo 08/18/2009 Sensing the public outrage that hasn't subsided over what has been described as the ostentatious and luxurious lifestyles of President Arroyo and her entourage displayed during her

    WN.com - Articles related to ID officials fly state plane, mining industry pays 2009

  • It sounded like the kind of ostentatious new age compositions that John Tesh might have composed.

    Flower's Lawful, Logical Wind SVGL 2009

  • A controversial 2004 law in France earlier prohibited Muslim headscarves and other "ostentatious" religious symbols in the classrooms of French primary and secondary public schools.

    Syria Bans Full Islamic Veils At Universities 2010

Comments

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  • Helen used this word in the movie version of "All Creatures Great And Small" when she was talking about the hotel James had taken her to for dinner.

    June 13, 2012