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ostensible Definition

os·ten·sible (ä sten′sə bəl)

adjective

  1. apparent; seeming; professed
  2. Rare clearly evident

Etymology: Fr < ML ostensibilis < L ostendere, to show < ob(s)-, against (see ob-) + tendere, to stretch: see thin

ostensible Related Forms

os·ten′·sibly adverb

ostensible Synonyms

ostensible

modif.

manifest, demonstrative, notable; see likely 1.

ostensible Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • reason: The ostensible reason for protest was a proposed tax on the Japanese traders.
  • purpose: Moreover, the present model has no ostensible purpose.
  • agent: The basic rights of an ostensible agent would be in conflict with the precautionary basic rights of the child.
  • authority: He is entitled to sign contracts - all such matters come within the ostensible authority of the company secretary " .
  • objective: Either the US and Britain will pull out - probably around or after the 2008 US presidential elections - without achieving their ostensible objective.