Ostentations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of displaying something in a showy manner to attract attention or admiration; a behavior that seeks to impress others through excessive display of wealth or knowledge; characterized by a tendency to boast or show off, often to gain social esteem
2. An outward exhibition intended to draw attention or convey status, often involving extravagant or gaudy presentations; a tendency to flaunt one's possessions or education for the purpose of impressing others; involving behaviors designed to project superiority through ostentation
3. A display meant to attract interest or admiration, typically excessive in nature or grandiose; actions that highlight one's social standing or expertise in an attempt to impress; marked by behaviors that seek validation through outward show

Etymology: The plural "ostentations" simply counts separate displays of "ostentation", the showy public display itself. That noun entered English in the 15th century, borrowed from Middle French, which had taken it from Latin "ostentatio". Latin "ostentatio" was built on "ostentare", meaning to display or exhibit, a repeated and intensive form of "ostendere", to present or show. The Latin verb stood behind a whole family of showing words, so the root idea is simply putting something in view for others to see. English "ostent" and the suffix "-ation" are the parts a reader can spot today, which is why the word feels like a noun built from a verb. Its core sense has stayed close to that original act of exhibiting, now usually with a tinge of disapproval.

Synonyms: showiness, pretentiousness, display, flamboyance, vainglory

Antonyms: modesty, humility, restraint, subduedness, understatement