ostentatious
/,ɔsten'teiʃəs/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice: The word describes something that is showy, flashy, or extravagant in a way that is intended to attract attention and impress others, often with a negative connotation of being tasteless or excessive.
Usage
- Describing Objects or Displays: Used to describe things that are very elaborate and expensive in a way that is meant to be seen and admired by others.
- The mansion's ostentatious gold-plated gates were impossible to miss.
- Describing Behavior or Actions: Used to describe behavior that is showy and intended to draw attention.
- His ostentatious donation to the charity seemed more about publicity than philanthropy.
Examples
- Adjective:
- She drove an ostentatious car with a custom paint job.
- The wedding was criticized for its ostentatious display of wealth.
- He avoided ostentatious gestures, preferring quiet generosity.
Advanced Usage
- "Ostentatious consumption": A term in economics and sociology referring to the lavish spending on goods and services to publicly display economic power.
- The era was marked by a culture of ostentatious consumption among the new elite.
Variants and Related Words
- Ostentation (n): Excessive display meant to attract attention or admiration.
- The party was an exercise in pure ostentation.
- Ostentatiously (adv): In a showy or pretentious manner.
- He ostentatiously checked his expensive watch.
Synonyms
- Showy: Attracting attention in a gaudy or obvious way.
- Flashy: Ostentatiously attractive or impressive.
- Pretentious: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
- Flamboyant: Tending to attract attention because of exuberance, confidence, and stylishness.
Antonyms
- Modest: Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.
- Unobtrusive: Not conspicuous or attracting attention.
- Restrained: Characterized by reserve or moderation.
Idioms and Phrases
- "To make an ostentatious display of": To show something off in a very obvious and excessive way.
- He made an ostentatious display of his new wealth by buying a yacht.
Adjective
- (of a display) tawdry or vulgar
- intended to attract notice and impress others
- an ostentatious sable coat
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