French Conversation · Level 120
57 words
French word
prétentieux
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁetɑ̃sjø/
Meaning
- adjectiveaffected
Example
Il est prétentieux.
He is affected.
More examples
Son style est prétentieux.
His style is pretentious.
Core concept
A person presenting an inflated sense of importance through showy behavior.
Common phrases
être prétentieux
be pretentious
avoir l'air prétentieux
look pretentious
Similar words
arrogant: Looking down on others and treating them as though they were inferior.
hautain: Cold and aloof, giving an impression of being difficult to approach.
snob: Judging people by status or taste while trying to appear socially superior.
orgueilleux: Proud and self-satisfied, with an exaggerated sense of personal worth.
Definition in French
Qui manifeste une estime excessive de soi et donne l'impression de vouloir impressionner autrui.
Word origin
Prétentieux is formed from French prétention with the suffix -ieux and is ultimately related to Latin praetendere, meaning to claim or hold forth.
Usage tips
- Prétentieux can describe both excessive self-regard and an affected display, so it is not limited to expensive or fashionable clothing.
Other meanings
- vainadjective
- conceitedadjective
Related words
- prétentionpretentiousnessnoun
- prétentieusementpretentiouslyadverb