What is pretentious? Pronunciation and usage in English

pretentious means . Learn how to pronounce and use pretentious through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of pretentious

pretentiousadjective

/prɪˈtenʃəs//prɪˈtenʃəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "pretentious." It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations and tips:

Phonetic Breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

  • /prəˈten(t)ʃəs/

Let's break that down further:

  • prə – Rhymes with "bra" but with a very short, almost swallowed "r" sound. It’s a retroflex 'r' - make your tongue curl slightly back in your mouth.
  • ˈten – This syllable is stressed. It sounds like "ten" (as in "ten dollars"). The stress is important.
  • tʃəs – This sounds like "chay-uss."
    • ch – The "ch" sound as in "chair."
    • əs – This is a “-es” sound but with a slight "uh" sound before it. Think of the ending of "bus" but shorter and a bit more clipped.

Putting it all together, a more detailed guide:

  1. Start with a very quick, almost silent "pr" – Like “preh.”
  2. Say "ten" – Short and clear.
  3. Then, say "chay-uss" – Make sure you have a clear "ch" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress is Key: The emphasis is on the second syllable ("ten"). That's crucial.
  • Retroflex 'r': This is the hardest part for many people. Seriously try to curl your tongue back a little as you say the "pr" sound. It's subtle, but makes a big difference.
  • Don't over-emphasize the “s”: The final "s" is a soft “s” sound. It’s not a strong, pronounced "s" like in "stress.”
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some more focused tips on the “r” sound?

Usage and examples with the word pretentious in English

Let's break down how to use the word "pretentious" effectively. It's a powerful word that describes a specific kind of attitude and behavior.

1. Meaning:

"Pretentious" means attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed. It suggests an artificiality and a desire to appear superior, often in a way that is irritating or condescending. It's about trying too hard to seem sophisticated or cultured.

2. How it's typically used:

  • Describing People: This is the most common usage.

    • "He was being incredibly pretentious, talking about obscure French films and saying he’d never seen a decent American movie." (He's trying to impress by acting like he knows a lot about high art.)
    • "Her constant references to classical music and fine dining seemed pretty pretentious, considering she'd never set foot in a museum." (Her behavior felt fake and designed to make her seem cultured.)
    • "The waiter was a bit pretentious, correcting my order in a very fussy way." (The waiter was acting superior and overly formal.)

  • Describing Things (Objects, Art, Performances, etc.): “Pretentious” can be applied to things intended to impress.

    • "That gallery's exhibition was utterly pretentious – a collection of meaningless, overpriced sculptures." (The art was perceived as fake and trying to be impressive.)
    • “The play felt pretentious, with overly complicated dialogue and a convoluted plot." (The play was seen as trying too hard to be intellectual and serious.)
    • "His new mansion is incredibly pretentious; it’s just a massive display of wealth." (The house is perceived as ostentatious and trying to show off.)

3. Key Characteristics of something that's "pretentious":

  • Artificiality: It feels fake or manufactured.
  • Ostentation: It’s showy and excessive, designed to impress.
  • Condescension: It can involve looking down on others who don't share the same supposed level of sophistication.
  • Lack of Genuine Feeling: Often, there's a disconnect between the outward display and the actual feeling or understanding behind it.

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Affected
  • Snobbish
  • Pompous
  • Ostentatious
  • Showy
  • Artificial
  • Insincere

5. Things to watch out for (Common mistakes):

  • Overuse: "Pretentious" is a strong word. Don't use it for everything that's slightly unusual or different. Reserve it for genuine cases of trying too hard to impress.
  • Subjectivity: What one person considers pretentious, another might see as genuine enthusiasm or simply being knowledgeable. It's often a matter of perspective.

Examples putting it all together:

  • "The museum’s attempt to attract a wealthy audience with overpriced tours and exclusive events felt rather pretentious."
  • "He adopted a pretentious accent when speaking to me, as if he thought it would make him sound more intelligent."
  • “The author’s writing style was deliberately pretentious, filled with obscure references and convoluted sentences, making it difficult to understand the story.”

Resources for Further Understanding:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use “pretentious” in? (e.g., a story, an essay, a conversation?)

Synonyms for the word pretentious

Practice with vocabulary pretentious

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The critic found the author's latest novel to be overly intellectual and ______, filled with obscure references that seemed designed solely to impress.
  2. During the board meeting, the CEO preferred a ______ summary of the financial report, rather than a lengthy and verbose presentation.
  3. Despite its minimalist design, the architect's elaborate explanation of the building's "spiritual resonance" struck many as unnecessarily ______.
  4. The celebrity's ______ display of expensive jewelry and designer clothes at the awards ceremony attracted significant media attention.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The new art gallery curator, always speaking in abstract jargon and dismissing popular taste, often came across as: (A) genuine (B) accessible (C) pretentious (D) down-to-earth (E) affected (F) humble

  2. Many viewers found the experimental film's narrative to be unnecessarily convoluted and excessively symbolic, labeling it: (A) insightful (B) pretentious (C) profound (D) overwrought (E) realistic (F) lucid

  3. She found his constant name-dropping and his insistence on discussing only obscure philosophical texts incredibly: (A) engaging (B) enlightening (C) pretentious (D) stimulating (E) pompous (F) genuine

  4. The politician's campaign launch was a lavish affair, filled with expensive fireworks and celebrity appearances, leading some critics to call it: (A) understated (B) extravagant (C) modest (D) ostentatious (E) humble (F) subtle

  5. Her presentation style was always clear, concise, and easy to understand, making even complex topics seem: (A) uncomplicated (B) straightforward (C) obscure (D) convoluted (E) ambiguous (F) verbose

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His overly complex vocabulary and affected mannerisms made him seem like he was trying too hard to impress. Rewrite using "pretentious" or a related word form.

  2. The film tried to be very deep and artistic, but many felt it was just showy and lacking real substance. Rewrite using "pretentious" or a related word form.

  3. Despite his vast knowledge, the professor remained humble and never tried to show off. Rewrite the sentence, replacing "humble and never tried to show off" with a suitable alternative (do not use "pretentious").

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The critic found the author's latest novel to be overly intellectual and pretentious, filled with obscure references that seemed designed solely to impress.
  2. During the board meeting, the CEO preferred a succinct summary of the financial report, rather than a lengthy and verbose presentation.
  3. Despite its minimalist design, the architect's elaborate explanation of the building's "spiritual resonance" struck many as unnecessarily pretentious.
  4. The celebrity's ostentatious display of expensive jewelry and designer clothes at the awards ceremony attracted significant media attention.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. (C) pretentious, (E) affected
  2. (B) pretentious, (D) overwrought
  3. (C) pretentious, (E) pompous
  4. (B) extravagant, (D) ostentatious
  5. (A) uncomplicated, (B) straightforward

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His overly complex vocabulary and affected mannerisms often came across as pretentious.
  2. The film's attempt to appear profound was criticized for its pretentiousness and lack of real substance.
  3. Despite his vast knowledge, the professor was remarkably modest and never sought to flaunt his intelligence.

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