WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pre•ten•tious /prɪˈtɛnʃəs/USA pronunciation
adj.
pre•ten•tious•ness, n. [uncountable]See -tend-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- full of pretension;
giving a show of importance, etc., that one does not really have. - making an exaggerated outward show;
showy.
pre•ten•tious•ness, n. [uncountable]See -tend-.
pre•ten•tious
(pri ten′shəs),USA pronunciation adj.
pre•ten′tious•ly, adv.
pre•ten′tious•ness, n.
- full of pretense or pretension.
- characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.
- making an exaggerated outward show;
ostentatious.
- earlier pretensious. See pretense, -ious 1835–45
pre•ten′tious•ness, n.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged pompous. See bombastic.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged showy. See grandiose.
'pretentiously' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Potemkin village
- affect
- big
- culture vulture
- genteel
- glitzy
- grandiose
- high-flown
- moderne
- officialese
- preachy
- sophisticated
- swank
- wordmonger