How Do You Spell OSTENTATIOUS?

Pronunciation: [ˌɒstəntˈe͡ɪʃəs] (IPA)

The word "ostentatious" is spelled as /ˌɒ.stənˈteɪ.ʃəs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is derived from the Latin word "ostentatio" which means "display, show". This word is often used to describe someone or something that is trying to attract attention or impress others through exhibition or obvious displays of wealth, power or status. The pronunciation of this word is stressed on the second syllable with the "o" sound pronounced as in "got" and "en" as in "pen". The "t" and "s" sounds are pronounced clearly, while the "iou" sounds like "shuh" and "us" like "shuss".

OSTENTATIOUS Meaning and Definition

1. Ostentatious is an adjective that describes something or someone who seeks to attract attention, admiration, or envy through an excessive display of wealth, power, or style. It refers to a behavior or display that is often characterized by being showy, flamboyant, and extravagant, intended to impress others and draw attention to oneself.

   When used to describe a person, it suggests someone who exhibits a need for constant acknowledgment and recognition, often resorting to conspicuous and extravagant actions or possessions as a means of gaining admiration or envy. They tend to engage in excessive acts of conspicuous consumption, flaunting their riches or social status in a deliberate manner in order to stand out from others.

   In terms of material possessions, ostentatious refers to objects, clothing, or accessories that are overly ornate, embellished, or expensive, designed to attract attention due to their opulence and luxurious nature. It carries a connotation of being more focused on display and outward appearance rather than substance or quality.

   Furthermore, the term ostentatious can also be applied to various events or occasions that are excessively grandiose and over-the-top. These events often involve lavish decorations, extravagant entertainment, and an excessive amount of resources allocated to make a strong impression on guests.

   Overall, ostentatious behavior, possessions, or events aim to deliberately highlight one's wealth, status, or achievements through extravagant displays, which can be perceived as excessive, flashy, or boastful.

2. Fond of self-display; boastful; showy.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for OSTENTATIOUS *

• ostentacious 55.5555555%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for OSTENTATIOUS

• austentatious
• ostentasious
• ostenatious
• ostentaious
• ostentagious

Etymology of OSTENTATIOUS

The word "ostentatious" is derived from the Latin word "ostentātiōsus", which is the adjective form of "ostentātiō". In Latin, "ostentātiō" means "display" or "show". It is derived from the verb "ostentāre", which means "to display" or "to show off". The Latin word "ostendere" is the root word, meaning "to show" or "to stretch out". Through the evolution of language, "ostentatious" came to be used in English to describe someone or something that is characterized by an excessive or extravagant display, often in an attempt to impress or gain attention.

Similar spelling words for OSTENTATIOUS

• ostentation,
• ostentate,
• ostentatiously.