always used before a noun
: seeming or said to be true or real but very possibly not true or real
The ostensible reason for his visit was to see an old friend. [=he said the reason was to see an old friend, but the real reason may have been something different]
The ostensible [=apparent] purpose of the article is to encourage young adults to vote.
Cite this Entry
“Ostensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ostensible. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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