a : making usually unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing) the pretentious fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to him— Richard Watts. b : expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature pretentious language pretentious houses.

What is an example of being pretentious?

An example of pretentious is someone saying they deserve a table in a crowded restaurant because of who they are. Affectedly grand; ostentatious. Ostentatious; intended to impress others. Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.

Does pretentious mean rich?

A rich, upper-class person who buys a very expensive new car is ostentatious. A middle-class person who buys the same expensive new car is pretentious. A pretentious person is pretending to have or be something or someone he or she is not.

Is pretentious a bad thing?

Being pretentious is a bad idea for several reasons: it alienates people, it suggests you're smarter than perhaps you actually are, and it invites unfriendly scrutiny. Moreover, it's just irritating, ipso facto.

What makes someone pretentious?

Pretentiousness grows out of an awareness the social self, or the version of oneself that exists in the eyes of others. Pretentiousness can develop from a genuine belief that one is better than someone else, or a sense of insecurity.

What Does It Mean To Be Pretentious?

What is pretentious behavior?

If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are. [disapproval] His response was full of pretentious nonsense.

How can you tell if someone is pretentious?

1. They believe that liking obscure hobbies or having eccentric interests makes them smart or special. ...
2. They use long words or jargon because they think it makes them look intelligent or cultured.

How do you sound pretentious?

1. Talk about the last time you had a manicure and how much the nail artist messed it up. ...
2. Call it “the co-op” or “Whole Foods” do not ever say “grocery store.”
3. Interrupt other people's vacation stories to tell them why that city was great 10 years ago.

How do you stop a pretentious person?

1. Step 1: Don't pretend to know more than you do. ...
2. Step 2: Say: “that's very interesting, could you please tell me more, in as much detail as humanly possible” ...
3. Step 3: Remember that these people can't help themselves. ...
4. Step 4: Find peace in that they know way less than they let on.

What is the opposite to pretentious?

Opposite of having an arrogant, self-important or pompous manner. humble. modest. respectful. unpretentious.

How do you use pretentious?

After earning his degree, my brother has been so pretentious towards his old friends. Dressed in a ball gown, she made an overly pretentious appearance at the simple high school dance. This new house was cozy, not as big and pretentious as the last one, and Anne liked it. I think some people enjoy being pretentious .

What is the etymology of pretentious?

From French prétentieux, from prétention, from Latin praetēnsus (“false or hypocritical profession”), past participle of praetendō. Note that pretentious is spelled with a 't', unlike related pretense, pretension.

What is a vanity person?

: the quality of people who have too much pride in their own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc. : the quality of being vain.

Does pretentious mean false?

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

What is a pretentious person called?

grandiose, highfalutin. (also hifalutin), high-minded, la-di-da.

Is there such a word as pretentiousness?

It's no surprise that pretentiousness shares a root with the word pretend — pretentiousness is all about pretending to be incredibly important or supremely talented.

What are some fancy words?

• chichi,
• extravagant,
• exuberant,
• fancified,
• flamboyant,
• frilly,
• gimmicked (up),
• grandiose,

How do you text a smart sound?

1. Your Vocabulary Can Make You Sound Smart. Why use a simple 25-cents word when you can use an impressive $20 word? ...
2. Elucidate. Elucidate [elu·ci·date] – to explain or make something clear. ...
3. Malaise. ...
4. Non sequitur. ...
5. Obfuscate. ...
6. Perfunctory. ...
7. Quid Pro Quo. ...
8. Scintillating.

Whats is vain?

1 : having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements : conceited. 2 : marked by futility or ineffectualness : unsuccessful, useless vain efforts to escape.

How does a vain person act?

excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy. proceeding from or showing pride in or concern about one's appearance, qualities, etc.; resulting from or displaying vanity: He made some vain remarks about his accomplishments.

What do vain people like?

Vain People Befriend Vain People

People with too much vanity like to hang out with others who share their same philosophy of life: The same love for self, beauty, and admiration. ... In this way, people with too much vanity not only enjoy living life this way— but also encourage and teach others to do the same.

What is synonyms for pretentious?

• arty.
• exaggerated.
• grandiose.
• hollow.
• overblown.
• pompous.
• stilted.
• turgid.

Is pretentious the same as arrogant?

As adjectives the difference between arrogant and pretentious. is that arrogant is having excessive pride in oneself, often with contempt for others while pretentious is marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.