unpretentious

adjective

un·​pre·​ten·​tious ˌən-pri-ˈten(t)-shəs How to pronounce unpretentious (audio)
: free from ostentation, elegance, or affectation : modest
unpretentious homes
an unpretentious celebrity
unpretentiously adverb
unpretentiousness noun

Examples of unpretentious in a Sentence

a casual and unpretentious restaurant a simple and unpretentious account about growing up in the rural South
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are many earnest, unpretentious reasons to be a regular reader, from stepping into someone else’s shoes to escaping from the stress of day-to-day life. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 Reaches out to underserved children The club, tucked behind Parrot Jungle, is known for its friendly, unpretentious spirit, commitment to community service and goal to educate youth and adults about recreational and competitive sailing. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025 Catalina Island Best for: an accessible, unpretentious, car-free getaway Warm and sunny, with a small town built into the hills around a palm tree–lined seafront that overlooks a sleepy harbor, Catalina Island evokes any number of spots on the Italian—or French—Riviera. Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 29 July 2025 In 1985, at the age of 27, Meyer opened his first business: Union Square Cafe, a modern American restaurant which blends upscale dining with unpretentious warmth and hospitality. Martina Di Licosa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unpretentious

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpretentious was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Unpretentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unpretentious. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

unpretentious

adjective
un·​pre·​ten·​tious ˌən-pri-ˈten-chəs How to pronounce unpretentious (audio)
: not pretentious : not showy : simple, modest
pleasant but unpretentious homes
unpretentiously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unpretentious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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