0%

pretentiousness

pre·ten·tious
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [pri-ten-shuh s]
    • /prɪˈtɛn ʃəs/
    • /prɪˈtenʃəsnɪs/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [pri-ten-shuh s]
    • /prɪˈtɛn ʃəs/

Definitions of pretentiousness word

  • adjective pretentiousness characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved: a pretentious, self-important waiter. 1
  • adjective pretentiousness making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious. 1
  • adjective pretentiousness full of pretense or pretension; having no factual basis; false. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of pretentiousness

First appearance:

before 1835
One of the 34% newest English words
1835-45; earlier pretensious. See pretense, -ious

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Pretentiousness

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

pretentiousness popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 53% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

pretentiousness usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for pretentiousness

noun pretentiousness

  • affectation — If you say that someone's attitude or behaviour is an affectation, you disapprove of the fact that it is not genuine or natural, but is intended to impress other people.
  • affectedness — assumed artificially; unnatural; feigned: affected sophistication; an affected British accent.
  • airs — affected manners intended to impress others (esp in the phrases give oneself airs, put on airs)
  • arrayal — the act or process of arraying
  • arrogance — the quality or state of being arrogant; overbearing pride or self-importance

Antonyms for pretentiousness

noun pretentiousness

  • docility — easily managed or handled; tractable: a docile horse.
  • humility — the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
  • nonresistance — the policy or practice of not resisting violence or established authority, even when tyrannical, by force.
  • obsequiousness — characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?