pretentious
/pɹɪˈtɛnʃəs/
Group 23Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed GRE
Example in Context
The restaurant's pretentious menu, filled with unnecessary French terms and overwrought descriptions, was at odds with its mediocre cuisine.
Synonyms
showypompousconceited
Etymology
Stretching out before others to show off importance that isn't there.
- pre- (Latin) — before
- tendere (Latin) — to stretch
Memory Aid
🎭Sounds like “pretend us”
When you're PRETENTIOUS, you're just pretending to be BETTER than us!
Visual Association
💼A person in an oversized suit trying to impress everyone at a casual picnic, looking hilariously out of place.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pretentious” mean on the GRE?
pretentious (adjective) means “Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed”. The restaurant's pretentious menu, filled with unnecessary French terms and overwrought descriptions, was at odds with its mediocre cuisine.
How to remember “pretentious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “pretentious” sounds like “pretend us”. When you're PRETENTIOUS, you're just pretending to be BETTER than us!
What are synonyms for “pretentious”?
Common synonyms: showy, pompous, conceited.