ostentation

noun

os·​ten·​ta·​tion ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shən 

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

Synonyms

• pomp
• ornamentation
• spectacle
• flamboyance
• decoration
• glitz
• ostentatiousness
• luxuriance
• luxuriousness
• gaudiness
• showiness
• pretentiousness
• garishness
• flashiness
• swank

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

What existed in the White House was a relative lack of ostentation — formal, but showing occasional signs of wear and tear, proof that this was a People’s House, not a palace. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025

Formula 1 has Monaco, with its ostentation and air of exclusivity. —Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

Never through excess or ostentation, but through quiet discipline — a meditative expression of grace. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

Their minimalist bottles and containers photograph beautifully, their price points signal exclusivity without screaming ostentation, and their international origins provide cultural cache. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 24 June 2025

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

Rhymes for ostentation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

ostentation

noun

os·​ten·​ta·​tion ˌäs-tən-ˈtā-shən 

: unnecessary show to attract attention, admiration, or envy