English vocabulary · C1
Pretentious
/prɪˈtɛnʃəs/ · adj.
Pretentious is acting more important or smart than you truly are. You show off just to seem impressive, even when it is not real.
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Example sentences
- He name-dropped artists to sound pretentious.
- She ordered wine just to seem pretentious.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- pre — before (from Latin)
- tent — stretch (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SHOWY — trying hard to impress (Loud and Attention-Seeking)
- SNOBBISH — acting superior to others (Looking Down on Others)
- AFFECTED — not real or genuine (Fake and Unnatural)
Words with the same root
tent — stretch
- extend — to make longer or bigger
- intend — to plan to do something
- contend — to struggle or compete
Lesson notes
Pretentious is acting more important or smart than you truly are. You show off just to seem impressive, even when it is not real.
Related: showy, snobbish, affected. Use pretentious when someone tries too hard to seem smart.
He name-dropped artists to sound pretentious. She ordered wine just to seem pretentious.
From Latin. Pre- means before. Tent- means stretch. Stretching yourself out to look bigger than you are, that is pretentious.