/prɪˈtenʃəs/

pre·ten·tious

BrE /prɪˈtenʃəs/

NAmE /prɪˈtenʃəs/

(disapproving)

trying to appear important, intelligent, etc. in order to impress other people; trying to be sth that you are not, in order to impress

That’s a pretentious name for a dog!

It was just an ordinary house—nothing pretentious.

He’s so pretentious!

➡  compare unpretentious

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pre·ten·tious·ly

BrE /prɪˈtenʃəsli/

NAmE /prɪˈtenʃəsli/

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pre·ten·tious·ness

BrE /prɪˈtenʃəsnəs/

NAmE /prɪˈtenʃəsnəs/

[U]