Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - ostentatious

1. If you describe something as ostentatious, you disapprove of it because it is expensive and is intended to impress people. (FORMAL) ...an ostentatious wedding reception. ADJ c darkgreen]disapproval 2. If you describe someone as ostentatious, you disapprove of them because they want to impress people with their wealth or importance. (FORMAL) Obviously he had plenty of money and was generous in its use without being ostentatious... ADJ c darkgreen]disapproval • ostentatiously Her servants were similarly, if less ostentatiously attired. ADV 3. You can describe an action or behaviour as ostentatious when it is done in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention. His wife was fairly quiet but she is not an ostentatious person anyway. ADJ: usu ADJ n • ostentatiously Harry stopped under a street lamp and ostentatiously began inspecting the contents of his bag. ADV: usu ADV with v