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Webster 1913 Edition


Pretentious

Pre-ten′tious

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
prétentieux
. See
Pretend
.]
Full of pretension; disposed to lay claim to more than is one’s; presuming; assuming.
Pre-ten′tious-ly
,
adv.
Pre-ten′tious-ness
,
Noun.

Definition 2024


pretentious

pretentious

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

pretentious (comparative more pretentious, superlative most pretentious)

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

Synonyms

  • poseur
  • See also Wikisaurus:arrogant

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary [Eleventh Edition]
  • pretentious in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • pretentious in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • pretentious at OneLook Dictionary Search