Standard Lemma guide

pretentiously

adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /pɹɪˈtɛnʃəsliː/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /pɹəˈtɛnʃəsliː/
  • US: /pɹɪˈtɛnʃəsliː/
  • US: /pɹiːˈtɛnʃəsliː/

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Ostentatiously; in a manner intended to impress others.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

In a manner demanding of skill or daring.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adverb

Meaning 4

in a pretentious manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • this author writes pretentiously

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: unpretentiously

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English pretentious Middle English -ly English -ly English pretentiously From pretentious + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: pretensiosament — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction
  • Finnish: tärkeilevästi — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction
  • Finnish: mahtailevasti — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction
  • French: prétentieusement — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction
  • Italian: pretenziosamente — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction
  • Portuguese: pretensiosamente — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction
  • Spanish: pretenciosamente — in a manner with unwarranted claim to importance or distinction