Ostentatious

Meanings

1. Designed to impress or attract notice
2. Showy in a vulgar way
3. Pretentiously grand

Example Sentences

• "The ostentatious wedding featured imported flowers and a fleet of luxury cars."
• "His ostentatious display of wealth made his neighbours uncomfortable."
• "The ostentatious architecture of some new malls contrasts with the simplicity of surrounding areas."

Etymology

From Latin 'ostentare' (to display, show off), frequentative of 'ostendere' (to show), from 'obs-' (before, in front of) + 'tendere' (to stretch). Literally 'to stretch out before others' — showing off.

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