# ostentatious

**Pronunciation:** /ˌɒstenˈteɪʃəs/ · OSS-ten-TAY-shuss

**CEFR level:** C2

**Part of speech:** adjective

## Meaning

Characterized by a vulgar or pretentious display, designed to impress or attract notice.

## Examples

- The celebrity's ostentatious mansion was featured in a magazine.
- She wore an ostentatious amount of jewelry to the party.
- His ostentatious display of wealth made some people uncomfortable.

## Synonyms

- showy — Generally flashy and attention-grabbing.
- flashy — Striking and noticeable, often in a vulgar way.
- gaudy — Excessively bright and showy; tasteless.
- pretentious — Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed.
- bombastic — High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated (often used for speech or writing).

## Antonyms

- modest — Having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits.
- understated — Presented or expressed in a subtle and restrained way.
- unpretentious — Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed.

## Collocations

- ostentatious display — The billionaire made an ostentatious display of his wealth by buying a private jet.
- ostentatious lifestyle — They were criticized for their ostentatious lifestyle, with constant parties and expensive cars.
- ostentatious jewelry — She wore a few pieces of ostentatious jewelry that caught everyone's eye.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/ostentatious

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