ostensible

[ o-sten-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended:

   an ostensible cheerfulness concealing sadness.

2. Rare. apparent, evident, or conspicuous:

   the ostensible truth of their theories.

ostensible

/ ɒˈstɛnsɪbəl /

adjective

1. apparent; seeming
2. pretended

Derived Forms

• osˌtensiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• os·ten·si·bly adverb
• non·os·ten·si·ble adjective
• un·os·ten·si·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostensible¹

First recorded in 1730–40; from French, from Latin ostēns(us) , variant of ostentus ( ostensive ) + French -ible -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostensible¹

C18: via French from Medieval Latin ostensibilis, from Latin ostendere to show, from ob- before + tendere to extend

Example Sentences

As for ostensible dangers flowing from the “Caroline” ad, those were so tenuous that they didn’t give the state the right to act against the ad either.

From Los Angeles Times

As he celebrated the score, he placed his hands behind his back in an ostensible reference to his detainment earlier that day.

From Salon

His remarks are also a steady reminder of the way disability, despite being an ostensible impediment, can be worked with while being exceptionally athletic.

From Salon

"Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions," Biles captioned her post, an ostensible reference to comments made by Skinner.

From Salon

Trump posted on Sunday night, in an ostensible jest at Biden's age-related gaffes — like his struggling debate performance last month — that largely spurred his bowing out.

From Salon

Related Words

• avowed
• plausible
• professed
• purported