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Ostentation vs Pretentious - What's the difference?

ostentation | pretentious |

As a noun ostentation

is ambitious display; vain show; display intended to excite admiration or applause.

As a adjective pretentious is

marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.

ostentation

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • Ambitious display; vain show; display intended to excite admiration or applause.
  • (obsolete) A show or spectacle.
  • * 1599 ,
  • Let her awhile be secretly kept in,
    And publish it that she is dead indeed:
    Maintain a mourning ostentation ;

    Synonyms

    * parade * pageantry * show * showiness * pomp * pompousness * vaunting * boasting * See also

    References

    * * *

    pretentious

    English

    Alternative forms

    *

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
  • Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
  • Ostentatious; intended to impress others.
  • Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.

    Synonyms

    * poseur * See also

    Antonyms

    * unpretentious

    Derived terms

    * pretentiously * pretentiousness

    References

    * * *