pretentious
Translation
pretentious, affected, ostentatious
Examples
He's a pretentious art critic.
He's a pretentious art critic.
The restaurant was too pretentious for my taste.
The restaurant was too pretentious for my taste.
Grammar Patterns
((a pretentious noun)) describing a person or thing He is a pretentious writer.
((sb./sth. is pretentious)) used as a predicate adjective That movie was so pretentious.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ostentatious, pompous, affected; Antonyms: humble, modest, unpretentious
Etymology
From French 'prétentieux', related to 'pretense'. It is the adjective form of 'pretension'.
Memory Tips
Someone who is 'pretentious' likes to 'pretend' they are more important or knowledgeable than they are.