pretentious
11 antonyms and opposites of pretentious, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Trying too hard to seem impressive, intelligent, or important, in a way that comes across as fake or overblown.
Antonyms
How to use pretentious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French prétentieux, ultimately from Latin praetendere ("to put forward, to claim"). Note the spelling with "t" rather than "s", unlike the related word "pretense".
Full origin of pretentious →Frequently asked questions
What does “pretentious” mean?
The word “pretentious” means trying too hard to seem impressive, intelligent, or important, in a way that comes across as fake or overblown. In plain terms, showing off in a way meant to look sophisticated but that actually feels forced or fake.
How do you pronounce “pretentious”?
“Pretentious” is pronounced prih-TEHN-shuhs (/pɹɪˈtɛn.ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “pretentious” in a sentence?
Here is “pretentious” used in a sentence: “The restaurant's menu was full of pretentious descriptions for simple dishes.”
What is another word for “pretentious”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pretentious” include highfalutin, affected, effete, fey, recherché and overrefined.
What is the opposite of “pretentious”?
The opposite of “pretentious” — its antonyms — are unpretentious, humble, modest, demure and formal.
What part of speech is “pretentious”?
“Pretentious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pretentious” come from?
The word “pretentious” comes from Latin. From French prétentieux, ultimately from Latin praetendere ("to put forward, to claim"). Note the spelling with "t" rather than "s", unlike the related word "pretense".
Is “pretentious” a common word?
“Pretentious” is an uncommon word in modern English.