Ostensible
[ɒ'stensɪb(ə)l] or [ɑ'stɛnsəbl]
Definition
(adj.) represented or appearing as such; pretended; 'His ostensible purpose was charity, his real goal popularity' .
Checker: Mario--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Capable of being shown; proper or intended to be shown.
(a.) Shown; exhibited; declared; avowed; professed; apparent; -- often used as opposed to real or actual; as, an ostensible reason, motive, or aim.
Inputed by Inez
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Shown, declared, avowed, assigned, manifest, apparent, exhibited, presented, visible.[2]. Specious, plausible, colorable.
Checker: Velma
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Avowed, pretended, declared, professed, manifest, visible, nominal, apparent,outward
ANT:Real, genuine, concealed, unpretended, actual, veritable
Checker: Marie
Definition
adj. that may be shown: declared: put forth as real: apparent.—n. Ostensibil′ity.—adv. Ostens′ibly.—adj. Ostens′ive showing: exhibiting.—adv. Ostens′ively.—ns. Osten′sory a monstrance; Os′tent (Shak.) appearance manner: token: portent prodigy; Ostentā′tion act of making a display: ambitious display: display to draw attention or admiration: boasting.—adj. Ostentā′tious given to show: fond of self-display: intended for display.—adv. Ostentā′tiously.—n. Ostentā′tiousness.
Typist: Naomi
Examples
- He was brushed and washed at the usual hour, and set off with his son to pursue his ostensible calling. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The word was _blunder_; and as Harriet exultingly proclaimed it, there was a blush on Jane's cheek which gave it a meaning not otherwise ostensible. Jane Austen. Emma.
- He had also reasons, deep rather than ostensible, for being satisfied with his own appearance. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
Typist: Naomi