ostensible

/ɒˈstensəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ɑːˈstensəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ä-ˈsten(t)-sə-bəl ə-/ (ame, mw)

ostensible — adjective

  • ostensiblepositive
  • more ostensiblecomparative
  • most ostensiblesuperlative

1. presented as the reason, truth, or identity of something on the surface, even th

1.形容詞C1
釋義

presented as the reason, truth, or identity of something on the surface, even though the real situation may be different.

例句

The ostensible purpose of the dinner was charity, but investors filled every table.

ostensible + purpose (public explanation hiding a different motive)

The museum visit was the ostensible reason for Jun's trip to Seoul.

be + ostensible reason

同義詞
  • apparent

    more neutral; describes what seems true without necessarily implying a hidden motive

  • purported

    formal; emphasizes that something is claimed to be true or authentic

  • nominal

    narrower; focuses on a title or status that exists mainly in name

反義詞
  • real

    describes the actual truth behind the surface explanation

  • genuine

    truly what it appears or claims to be

  • actual

    points to the fact rather than the stated version

文法句型

ostensible + reason/purpose/explanation

ostensible + buyer/leader/owner

be + ostensible

用法筆記

Usually appears with nouns such as 'reason', 'purpose', 'explanation', or 'buyer' when a public explanation may hide a different truth. It is more formal than 'apparent' or 'so-called', and after 'be' it often sounds openly judgmental.

常見錯誤

❌The answer is ostensible, so everyone can see it.
✅The answer is obvious, so everyone can see it.
💡ostensible does not mean 'easy to notice'; it describes something presented one way while the truth may differ.
❌They met for an ostensible.
✅They met for an ostensible reason.
💡ostensible normally modifies a noun such as reason, purpose, or explanation.