ostentation

/ˌɒstenˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɑːstenˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shən/ (ame, mw)

ostentation — noun

1. a very obvious attempt to put your money, importance, learning, or ability on di

1.名詞C2
釋義

a very obvious attempt to put your money, importance, learning, or ability on display so other people will be impressed

例句

Gita wore diamond sunglasses to the school fair in sheer ostentation.

in sheer ostentation

The hotel entrance, lined with marble lions, reeked of ostentation.

reek of ostentation

同義詞
  • showiness

    less formal and broader; can describe bright appearance without the same strong social judgement

  • pretension

    focuses more on trying to seem important or refined than on the visible display itself

  • pomp

    often used for grand ceremony or official display rather than personal showing off

反義詞
  • modesty

    a quiet, unshowy way of presenting yourself or what you own

  • simplicity

    a plain style without extra display or decoration

  • restraint

    careful control that avoids making wealth or status too visible

文法句型

pure ostentation

air of ostentation

ostentation of + wealth/skill

reek of ostentation

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and strongly negative. It is most often used for visible display in money, decoration, ceremony, or public self-presentation, especially in patterns like 'an air of ostentation' and 'pure ostentation'.

常見錯誤

❌Her plain cotton dress showed ostentation.
✅Her diamond-covered dress showed ostentation.
💡Ostentation needs an obvious attempt to impress, not something simple.
❌The team felt ostentation after winning the match.
✅The team felt pride after winning the match.
💡'Ostentation' is showing off, not a pleased feeling.
❌His speech was full of ostentations.
✅His speech was full of ostentation.
💡The noun is usually uncountable.