Word
ostentatious
Phoneticsos·ten·ta·tious, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɑstənˈteɪʃəs/
UK/ˌɒstəntˈeɪʃəs/
Definition
adj. showing off your wealth or success in a way that is too obvious and meant to impress others. It often describes things that are too expensive or flashy.
adj. characterised by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress or attract notice. Often carries a negative connotation of being vulgar or excessive.
Examples
“He wears an ostentatious gold watch to every meeting.”
“The billionaire's ostentatious lifestyle, featuring private jets and gold-plated furniture, was frequently criticised in the local newspapers.”
“The architect avoided ostentatious flourishes, preferring a minimalist aesthetic that emphasised the natural texture of the stone over decorative excess.”
Examples
simple
“He wears an ostentatious gold watch to every meeting.”
contextual
“The billionaire's ostentatious lifestyle, featuring private jets and gold-plated furniture, was frequently criticised in the local newspapers.”
complex
“The architect avoided ostentatious flourishes, preferring a minimalist aesthetic that emphasised the natural texture of the stone over decorative excess.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ostentatious” in context.
Verb
01. avoid ostentatious
“The royal family was advised to avoid ostentatious displays of wealth during the recession.”
verb + adj
02. become ostentatious
“As he grew wealthier, his lifestyle became increasingly ostentatious.”
verb + adj
03. ostentatious in
“He was quite ostentatious in his support for the local charity.”
adj + prep
Adjective
04. deliberately ostentatious
“The designer's choice of gold trim was deliberately ostentatious.”
adv + adj
05. vulgar ostentatious
“The billionaire's home was criticized for being vulgar and ostentatious.”
adj + adj
Noun
06. ostentatious display
“The wedding was an ostentatious display of the family's immense fortune.”
adj + noun
07. ostentatious gesture
“Tipping the waiter a hundred dollars was a characteristically ostentatious gesture.”
adj + noun
08. ostentatious lifestyle
“They lived an ostentatious lifestyle that few of their neighbors could afford.”
adj + noun
09. an ostentatious show of
“The military parade was an ostentatious show of force intended to intimidate rivals.”
10. too ostentatious for
“The diamond necklace was considered too ostentatious for a simple garden party.”
Usage
Typically used to describe physical possessions, buildings, or public behaviour.
Real-World Examples
“His particularly ostentatious lifestyle raised questions about corruption, with posts on Instagram showing him driving luxury cars or riding limited-edition motorcycles.” “Its design language doesn’t blare supercar, so it doesn’t feel weird or ostentatious to pull into a diner parking lot.” “However, at the upper echelons of the hospitality industry, where the only limit to indulgence is how ostentatious guests wish to appear, a competitive atmosphere has emerged, with hotels striving to surpass each other in catering to this exclusive, albeit highly visible, segment.” “The outrageous wealth and ostentatious luxury are not solely held by hedge fund managers or tech tycoons.” Etymology
Originated 1590; from Latin ostentātus + -ious.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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