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Ostentation definition

ŏstĕn-tāshən, -tən-
Pretentious display meant to impress others; pretentious showiness.
noun
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(archaic) The act or an instance of showing; an exhibition.
noun
2
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Showy display, as of wealth or knowledge; pretentiousness.
noun
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Ambitious display; vain show; display intended to excite admiration or applause.
noun
0
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Ostentation is an overdone, pretentious, vulgar or tacky display of wealth or knowledge.

An example of ostentation is a solid gold toilet seat with diamond-studded flusher.

noun
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
ostentation
Plural:
ostentations

Origin of ostentation

  • Middle English ostentacioun from Old French ostentacion from Latin ostentātiō ostentātiōn- from ostentāre frequentative of ostendere to show ostensible

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Originated 1425-75 from late Middle English ostentacioun, from Middle French ostentation, from Latin ostentātiō, equivalent to ostentātus (past participle of ostentāre, to display or exhibit), frequentative of ostendere (to present, display) + -iōn.

    From Wiktionary

Ostentation Sentence Examples

  • His library of 70,000 volumes was one of his forms of ostentation, and so was his gallery of pictures.

  • They are also bought up by native chiefs at high prices for purposes of ostentation.

  • He had been accused of vanity and ostentation in his office, but his reputation for ability and integrity as a judge was high even with his enemies.

  • He abhorred a vain ostentation of wit in handling sacred truths, so venerable and grave, and of eternal consequence.

  • The king and his courtiers joined in the processions in the garb of penitents, and scourged themselves with ostentation.

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