Definition of ostentation
1 : excessive display : vain and unnecessary show especially for the purpose of attracting attention, admiration, or envy : pretentiousness She dresses stylishly without ostentation. an aesthetic preference for function over ostentation — Wendell Garrett their ostentation of new wealth and their prodigality with it — Mark Sullivan
2 archaic : an act of displaying
From the M-W Editors
Examples of ostentation in a Sentence
The actress avoids ostentation. She owns a small house and drives an inexpensive car.
He writes simply and clearly and without ostentation.
Origin and Etymology of ostentation
Middle English ostentacion, from Middle French, from Latin ostentation-, ostentatio, from ostentare to display, frequentative of ostendere
First Known Use: 15th century
OSTENTATION Defined for English Language Learners
ostentation
playDefinition of ostentation for English Language Learners
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: an unnecessary display of wealth, knowledge, etc., that is done to attract attention, admiration, or envy
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See words that rhyme with ostentation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ostentation Spanish Central: Translation of ostentation Nglish: Translation of ostentation for Spanish speakers
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