Main Entry:
pre·ten·tious
Pronunciation: pri-'ten(t)-sh&s
Function:
adjective
Etymology: French
prétentieux, from
prétention pretension, from Medieval Latin
pretention-, pretentio, from Latin
praetendere
1 : characterized by
pretension : as
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>