ostentatious

ostentatious
[[t]ɒ̱stente͟ɪʃəs[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you describe something as ostentatious, you disapprove of it because it is expensive and is intended to impress people. [FORMAL]

...his house, which, however elaborate, is less ostentatious than the preserves of other Dallas tycoons.

...an ostentatious wedding reception.

2) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone as ostentatious, you disapprove of them because they want to impress people with their wealth or importance. [FORMAL]

Obviously he had plenty of money and was generous in its use without being ostentatious...

She's got a lovely way with language without ever sounding ostentatious.

Derived words:
ostentatiously ADV-GRADED

Her servants were similarly, if less ostentatiously attired.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You can describe an action or behaviour as ostentatious when it is done in an exaggerated way to attract people's attention.

His wife was fairly quiet but she is not an ostentatious person anyway.

Syn:
Derived words:
ostentatiously ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v

Harry stopped under a street lamp and ostentatiously began inspecting the contents of his bag.


English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ostentatious — Os ten*ta tious, a. Fond of, or evincing, ostentation; unduly conspicuous; pretentious; boastful. [1913 Webster] Far from being ostentatious of the good you do. Dryden. [1913 Webster] The ostentatious professions of many years. Macaulay. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ostentatious — index elaborate, grandiose, histrionic, inflated (bombastic), tawdry Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • ostentatious — 1701, from OSTENTATION (Cf. ostentation). Related: Ostentatiously …   Etymology dictionary

  • ostentatious — *showy, pretentious Analogous words: vainglorious, vain, proud (see under PRIDE): flaunting, parading, displaying (see SHOW vb): boasting, bragging, gasconading (see BOAST) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • ostentatious — [adj] flashy, showy boastful, chichi*, classy, conspicuous, crass*, dashing, egotistic, exhibitionistic, extravagant, flamboyant, flatulent, flaunted, fussy, garish, gaudy, gay, glittery, grandiose, highfaluting*, jaunty, loud, obtrusive,… …   New thesaurus

  • ostentatious — os|ten|ta|tious [ˌɔstənˈteıʃəs, ten US ˌa: ] adj 1.) something that is ostentatious looks very expensive and is designed to make people think that its owner must be very rich ▪ She carried her car keys on an ostentatious gold key ring. ▪ an… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • ostentatious — adjective 1 something that is ostentatious is large, looks expensive and is designed to make people think that its owner must be very rich: The hotel loomed huge and ostentatious above the street. 2 someone who is ostentatious likes to show… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • ostentatious — ostentatiously, adv. ostentatiousness, n. /os ten tay sheuhs, teuhn /, adj. 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 …   Universalium

  • ostentatious — os|ten|ta|tious [ ,asten teıʃəs ] adjective 1. ) intended to impress people or attract their admiration, in a way that you think is extreme and unnecessary: an ostentatious display of wealth 2. ) always trying to impress people with how rich,… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • ostentatious —    Given to showing off, pretentious, meant to impress others. A person or thing that is ostentatious is boastfully showy. Some of the many interesting synomyms: flashy, flaunting, florid, pompous, turgid, bombastic, swaggering, strutting,… …   Glossary of Art Terms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”