Word
unpretentious
Phoneticsun·pre·ten·tious, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌənpɹiˈtɛnʃəs/
UK/ʌnpɹɪtˈɛnʃəs/
Definition
adj. simple and natural, without trying to impress people or seem more important than you are. You use it for people and places that feel relaxed and honest.
adj. lacking showiness or any attempt to impress; modest and straightforward in manner, style, or appearance.
Examples
“She runs an unpretentious cafe with good coffee.”
“Despite his success, he remains unpretentious and chats with every new employee.”
“The restaurant wins praise for its unpretentious menu, which focuses on fresh local ingredients rather than fancy presentation.”
Examples
simple
“She runs an unpretentious cafe with good coffee.”
contextual
“Despite his success, he remains unpretentious and chats with every new employee.”
complex
“The restaurant wins praise for its unpretentious menu, which focuses on fresh local ingredients rather than fancy presentation.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unpretentious” in context.
Verb
01. look unpretentious
“The cafe looks unpretentious from outside but is very popular.”
verb + adj
02. remain unpretentious
“Even after winning awards, the band remained unpretentious.”
verb + adj
03. seem unpretentious
“He seems unpretentious and easy to talk to.”
verb + adj
04. stay unpretentious
“They have stayed unpretentious despite becoming famous.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. delightfully unpretentious
“The hotel is delightfully unpretentious with friendly staff and simple rooms.”
adv + adj
06. quite unpretentious
“The restaurant is quite unpretentious, but the food is excellent.”
adv + adj
07. refreshingly unpretentious
“Despite his fame, he remains refreshingly unpretentious in interviews.”
adv + adj
08. a small unpretentious restaurant
“We found a small unpretentious restaurant that served amazing pasta.”
09. an unpretentious neighbourhood bistro
“It is an unpretentious neighbourhood bistro loved by locals.”
10. charming and unpretentious hotel
“We stayed in a charming and unpretentious hotel by the sea.”
11. remain refreshingly unpretentious
“Despite her fame, she has remained refreshingly unpretentious.”
12. simple and unpretentious food
“They serve simple and unpretentious food at fair prices.”
Real-World Examples
“Today, Hamlet, Indiana, remains a quintessential small Midwestern town—quiet, unpretentious, and deeply rooted in community and agriculture.” “It was the first time the public saw the warm and unpretentious demeanor of the executive, who is filling the shoes of Tim Cook and his predecessor, Steve Jobs, at the $4.5tn tech giant.” “The next year, he and his second wife, Dorris, whom he had married in 1946, built an unpretentious three-bedroom house just outside Rochester.” “She's a great pal, a generous performer and completely unpretentious.” Etymology
From un- + pretentious.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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