ostentatious

/,ɔsten'teiʃəs/

Thân thiện

She wore an ostentatious diamond necklace to the gala.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. (of a display) tawdry or vulgar
2. intended to attract notice and impress others
   • an ostentatious sable coat

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pretentious