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- Dictionarypretentious/prɪˈtɛnʃəs/
adjective
- 1. attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed: "pretentious art films"
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pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing. a pretentious parade of hard words. ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade. the ostentatious summer homes of the rich.
PRETENTIOUS definition: 1. trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are, especially in matters of art…. Learn more.
If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are.
Synonyms for PRETENTIOUS: arrogant, pompous, hifalutin, ostentatious, grandiose, high-minded, proud, smug; Antonyms of PRETENTIOUS: unpretentious, modest, humble, unassuming, homely, meek, lowly, down-to-earth.
Pretentious definition: characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved. See examples of PRETENTIOUS used in a sentence.
Use the adjective pretentious as a way to criticize people who try to act like they are more important or knowledgeable than they really are.
Claiming that or behaving as if one is important or deserving of merit when such is not the case: a pretentious socialite. 2. Showing or betraying an attitude of superiority: made pretentious remarks about his education. 3. Marked by an extravagant or presumptuous outward show; ostentatious: a pretentious house.
There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective pretentious, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are. [disapproval] His response was full of pretentious nonsense. Synonyms: affected, mannered, exaggerated, pompous More Synonyms of pretentious.
If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are.
