October 6, 2026
pretentious
/pɹɪˈtɛnʃəs/adjective
Trying to appear more impressive, important, or cultured than one really is.
Example sentences
- “The menu was full of pretentious descriptions for very ordinary dishes.”
- “He has a pretentious habit of quoting philosophers he has never read.”
One of the most frequent put-downs in art and restaurant reviews. It attacks the gap between the pose and the substance.