adj
ostentatious
os-tehn-TAY-shuhs
Ostentatious (adj) means Showy or over-the-top, designed mainly to impress or attract attention. Example: “He pulled up in an ostentatious gold sports car that nobody could ignore.”
adj
1
Showy or over-the-top, designed mainly to impress or attract attention.
"He pulled up in an ostentatious gold sports car that nobody could ignore."
"Their wedding was criticized as ostentatious, with fireworks and a live orchestra."
2
Gaudy or tastelessly flashy; kitsch.
"The hotel lobby was decorated in an ostentatious style, all gold trim and crystal chandeliers."
How to use ostentatious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShowing off wealth or status in an obvious, look-at-me way.
Common mistake
Almost always negative — calling something ostentatious is a criticism, not a compliment.
Common pairings
ostentatious display
ostentatious wealth
ostentatious lifestyle
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ostentatious
- Superlative
- most ostentatious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He pulled up in an _____ gold sports car that nobody could ignore.
Etymology
From Latin ostentatus ("displayed, shown off") plus "-ious," entering English around 1590.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ostentatious
See all rhymes for ostentatious →Frequently asked questions
What does “ostentatious” mean?
The word “ostentatious” means showy or over-the-top, designed mainly to impress or attract attention. In plain terms, showing off wealth or status in an obvious, look-at-me way.
How do you pronounce “ostentatious”?
“Ostentatious” is pronounced os-tehn-TAY-shuhs (/ˌɒs.tɛnˈteɪ.ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ostentatious” in a sentence?
Here is “ostentatious” used in a sentence: “He pulled up in an ostentatious gold sports car that nobody could ignore.”
What part of speech is “ostentatious”?
“Ostentatious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ostentatious” come from?
The word “ostentatious” dates back to around 1590 and comes from Latin. From Latin ostentatus ("displayed, shown off") plus "-ious," entering English around 1590.
How many meanings does “ostentatious” have?
“Ostentatious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showy or over-the-top, designed mainly to impress or attract attention.
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