prēˈtenchəs, prə̇ˈ- adjective
Etymology: French prétentieux, from prétention pretension (from Medieval Latin praetention-, praetentio ) + -eux -ous
1. : making or possessing claims (as to excellence, superiority, greatness) : ostentatious , showy , pompous
pretentious literary style
pretentious country house
: self-important
pretentious fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to him — Richard Watts
2. : characterized by effort or strain : making demands upon one's skill, ability, or means : ambitious
the pretentious daring of the Green Mountain Boys in crossing the lake — American Guide Series: Vermont
• pre·ten·tious·ly adverb
• pre·ten·tious·ness noun -es