THE WORDCRAFT DEFINITION DICTIONARY
pretentious
adjective
Trying to appear more important, cultured, or impressive than justified.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
SEE IT IN USE
Examples in context
The pretentious introduction overshadowed a straightforward proposal.
The ostensible purpose of a networking event was to introduce local designers to one another. Its glossy invitation created a veneer of exclusivity, although the organizers had rented an ordinary meeting room. Lina found the description pretentious: it called a short coffee break an 'elevated exchange of visionary perspectives.' She decided to judge the event by what actually happened there.
Notice how the same meaning carries into different situations. Try explaining what the word contributes to each example.
Related meanings
Related words can differ in tone and context; they are not always interchangeable.
Compare the full synonym referenceMAKE IT YOURS
Write your own sentence
Use "pretentious" in a situation you might actually discuss. Compare your meaning with the definition above.
Personal practice. Sentences are saved locally and are not automatically graded.
READ THIS WORD IN CONTEXT
Included in the learning path
Reading Beneath the SurfaceReading 1 / Open lessonAPPLY IT AND RETURN
Build a retention record for this word.
Use its lesson question and fresh-context checkpoint on separate days. Your browser can track the evidence for a retention milestone.
How the milestone worksAbout this entry
This entry is part of the vocabulary collection supplied by GlobalRPh. Definitions are concise study meanings. Examples combine original teaching sentences with selected passages adapted from the supplied study notes; their source is labeled beside each example. A word may have additional specialized or historical senses.
Adapted from supplied vocabulary notes. Example written for WordCraft.
Source study sections: A, 1, 2, 5, 7, 15, 19.
Dictionary scope and sources