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ostentation definition

os·ten·ta·tion (äs′tən tā′s̸hən)

noun

showy display, as of wealth or knowledge; pretentiousness

Etymology: ME ostentacioun < L ostentatio < ostentare < ostendere: see ostensible

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ostentation Synonyms

ostentation

n.

  1. The quality of being ostentatious

    exhibitionism, showiness, pomp, pompousness, pomposity, parading, bravado, vaunting, magnificence, pageant, pageantry, splendor, spectacle, flourish, flamboyance, garishness, array, demonstration, pretending, boasting, bragging, swaggering, vainglory, braggartism; see also pretense 1.

    Antonyms reserve*, diffidence*, timidity. *

  2. Ostentatious conduct

    show, display, brag, boast, vaunt, swagger, flourish, parade, fuss, exhibition, braggadocio, pretension; see also display 2, vanity 1.

    Antonyms reserve*, modest behavior, quiet.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ostentation Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • vain: He abhorred a vain ostentation of wit in handling sacred truths, so venerable and grave, and of eternal consequence.
ostentation usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"ostentation." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ostentation>

APA Style

ostentation. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ostentation

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