ostentation
3
8.5
- noun
- /ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃən/
:
ostentación
- She displayed her wealth through unnecessary ostentation, wearing diamonds to an informal gathering.
- vulgar ostentation
- ostentation and extravagance
- such ostentation
These are beautiful terms, an ostentation of Peacocks.
- These are beautiful terms, an ostentation of Peacocks.
Examples
-
With the maximum of expense and ostentation.
-
You must guard against this tendency to extravagance and ostentation.
Fiction book (1991) -
"But there is a practical side to this ostentation.
Fiction book (1992) -
We took the opposite point of view, focusing on the simple forms and lack of ostentation.
Blog text (31) -
The idea of such ostentation in a medical setting seemed obscene, especially given the runaway cost of medical care.
Fiction book (1992) -
The bride nowadays rides to her husband's home in a van or limousine, and in general, ostentation and extravagance are the rule.
Academic text (1998) -
Denmark's traditional Lutheran heritage, with its concern for community and its distrust of ostentation, reinforces modern social democratic policies.
Academic text (2008) -
Middle-class ostentation, however, was seen as incompatible with the simple virtues desirable in the burgher class.
Academic text (1990) -
His ostentation was evident when he bragged about his expensive car during the modest charity event.
-
The critic noted that the author's ostentation in flaunting her accolades detracted from the sincerity of her work.
Synonyms
34
7.0
Behaving to impress people instead of being honest
18
7.7
A claim to be more important, knowledgeable or to have a right they do not have
16
5.8
A showy display meant to attract attention
11
8.6
A fake way of speaking or behaving to impress others
5
6.3
An act of trying to get attention by doing dramatic moves
4
7.9
Buying expensive things to show others you have wealth or status
4
7.7
A very bright and fancy style that attracts attention in dress or manner
4
9.9
Trying to make yourself seem more important or powerful than you are
4
9.5
Words that show you think you are better than others without proof
2
8.1
Doing dramatic things to get attention or praise
2
7.7
Acting like you are more important or more educated than you really are
1
7.9
A way of behaving that tries to show you are better than other people
1
6.5
A style that is very bright or richly decorated to attract attention
A way of behaving that shows off wealth or style to impress others
A quality of being showy and loud in style that hides simple beauty
Talking too proudly about your own success or abilities
Antonyms
How Showy
4
7.7
3
8.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
ostentation = ostentatious (semi-transparent) = ostent + ion
The noun is a regular nominalization of the Latinate root related to 'ostentatious', but the root 'ostent-' is not a common English base and the forms are formal/Latinate, so full transparency for a B1 learner is limited.
Etymology
Ostentation comes from the old Latin word ostendere, which means 'to show', and from parts like ob- and tendere that mean 'toward' and 'to stretch', and it shares a root with ostentatious. Think of it as 'stretching something out toward people to be seen', which is why ostentation means showy behaviour to get attention.