Translation

表向きの / 見かけ上の / 名目上の

Meaning

Ostensible means stated or appearing to be true, while the real reason or situation may be different. It often describes a reason, purpose, leader, or owner. The trap is confusing it with obvious; ostensible suggests a possible hidden reality.

Examples

• 会議の表向きの目的は予算を見直すことでした。
  The ostensible purpose of the meeting was to review the budget.
• 彼女はその団体の名目上の代表でしたが、実権は別の人にありました。
  She was the ostensible leader of the group, but someone else held the power.