Definition

Noun: - The quality of being characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; showiness intended to impress others, often perceived as lacking in elegance due to excessive vanity.

Usage

This noun describes the state or quality of being ostentatious. It is used to criticize behavior, style, or objects that are designed to attract notice and admiration through a gaudy, exaggerated, or overly elaborate display of wealth, status, or importance. It implies a lack of subtlety and good taste.

Examples

• The ostentatiousness of the mansion's gold-plated fixtures was widely criticized by architects.
• Her jewelry was beautiful, but its sheer ostentatiousness made it unsuitable for the somber event.
• He avoided any hint of ostentatiousness in his dress, preferring simple, well-tailored clothes.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Critique: Often used in social or artistic criticism to denote a failure of aesthetic restraint.
  • The film's director was accused of substituting narrative depth for visual ostentatiousness.
• Economic Context: Can be applied to describe periods or behaviors marked by conspicuous consumption.
  • The economic boom led to an era of remarkable ostentatiousness among the new elite.

Variants and Related Words

• Ostentatious (adj): Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display.
  • an ostentatious display of wealth
• Ostentatiously (adv): In a manner designed to attract notice.
  • He ostentatiously checked his expensive watch.

Synonyms

• Showiness
• Flashiness
• Pretentiousness
• Flamboyance (can be neutral or positive, but context can make it negative)
• Gaudiness

Antonyms

• Restraint
• Modesty
• Simplicity
• Understatement
• Elegance

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Vulgar display: A phrase with a very similar meaning, emphasizing a lack of refinement.
  • The party was a vulgar display of wealth.
• Conspicuous consumption: An economic/sociological term for the lavish spending on goods to publicly display economic power, closely related to the concept of ostentatiousness.

Noun

1. lack of elegance as a consequence of being pompous and puffed up with vanity