ostensible

/ɔs'tensəbl/

Thân thiện

His ostensible reason for visiting was to return a borrowed book.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Appearing to be true or real, but often not actually so; used to describe something that is presented as the reason or purpose, but which may hide a different, true reason. This is the primary meaning, focusing on the gap between outward appearance and underlying reality.
   • Seeming or professed, as opposed to actual. This meaning emphasizes the declared or claimed nature, which may be a facade.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The ostensible reason for the meeting was to discuss the budget, but the real goal was to announce the layoffs.
  • She was the ostensible leader of the project, though all major decisions were made by her assistant.
  • His ostensible enthusiasm for the plan masked his deep private reservations.

Advanced Usage

• "Ostensible purpose/aim/goal": The publicly stated or visible purpose, which is not the genuine one.
  • The ostensible aim of the charity gala was to raise funds, but it also served as a networking event for the elite.
• "Ostensible authority": Authority that someone appears to have or claims to have, which may not be formally granted.
  • He acted under the ostensible authority of the manager, though he had not been officially delegated the power.

Variants and Related Words

• Ostensibly (adverb): According to what is stated or appears to be true, though possibly not so.
  • The trip was ostensibly for research, but it included many tourist activities.
• Ostensibility (noun, rare): The quality of being ostensible.

Synonyms

• Apparent: Clearly visible or understood; seeming.
• Seeming: Appearing to be true or real, but not necessarily so.
• Professed: Claimed openly but often falsely.
• Superficial: Existing or occurring on the surface; not deep or genuine.

Antonyms

• Genuine: Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
• Real: Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact.
• Actual: Existing in fact; real.
• True: In accordance with fact or reality.

Related Phrases and Usage Notes

• The word ostensible is often used in contexts involving motives, reasons, or roles where there is a suspicion or revelation of a hidden truth. It carries a connotation of deliberate presentation, not just accidental appearance.
• It is more formal than words like "seeming" or "apparent" and often implies a deliberate act of misrepresentation or concealment.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. represented or appearing as such; pretended
   • His ostensible purpose was charity, his real goal popularity
2. appearing as such but not necessarily so
   • for all his apparent wealth he had no money to pay the rent
   • the committee investigated some apparent discrepancies
   • the ostensible truth of their theories
   • his seeming honesty

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ostensive
• apparent
• seeming