ostentation

noun

os·​ten·​ta·​tion ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce ostentation (audio)
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 ostentationWendell Garrett
their ostentation of new wealth and their prodigality with itMark Sullivan
2
archaic : an act of displaying

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.
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.
As the country continues to grapple with high youth unemployment and troubles in its real estate market, some Chinese shoppers are turning away from ostentation amid the economic uncertainty. Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 16 July 2024 Though it may be overstated, ostentation is part of what makes the genre a culturally distinct global phenomenon. Julian Randall, Essence, 24 May 2024 While Hand of God shimmered with the director’s memories of his youth, the deeply personal nature and intimacy of that film are drowned here by ostentation. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024 Philippe Starck, Louis Ghost Chair, 2002 Modern design in Europe and the United States was largely a reaction to the ostentation that came before it, particularly among royalty and other privileged households. Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ostentation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ostentacion "display meant to evoke admiration," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin ostentātiōn-, ostentātiō "act of displaying, excessive display," from ostentāre "to hold up to view, display, show ostentatiously, flourish" (frequentative of ostendere "to hold out for inspection, show, demonstrate") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at ostensible

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ostentation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ostentation

Cite this Entry

“Ostentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostentation. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ostentation

noun
os·​ten·​ta·​tion ˌäs-tən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce ostentation (audio)
: unnecessary show to attract attention, admiration, or envy

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