ostentation

UK: /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃ^ən/

US: /ˌɑstɛnˈteɪʃən, -tən-/

US: (os′ten tā′shən, -tən-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

os•ten•ta•tion /ˌɑstɛnˈteɪʃən, -tən-/   n. [uncountable]

1. a false or overly grand display of wealth meant to impress others.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

os•ten•ta•tion  (os′ten tā′shən, -tən-), n. 

1. pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance;
   display intended to impress others.
2. [Archaic.] the act of showing or exhibiting;
   display.

• Latin ostentātiōn- (stem of ostentātiō), equivalent. to ostentāt(us) past participle of ostentāre to display, exhibit, frequentative of ostendere to present, display (equivalent. to os-, var of ob- ob- + ten(dere) to stretch + -t- frequentative suffix + -ātus -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle French ostentation
• late Middle English ostentacioun 1425–75

Synonyms

• 1. pretension, pretense. See show. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ostentation / ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃən/ noun

1. pretentious, showy, or vulgar display