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ostensibleseemingly or apparently true, but not necessarily so; stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily true

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: seemingly or apparently true, but not necessarily so; stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily true

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɑːˈstensəbəl/

Korean meaning: 표면상의, 겉으로 보이는, 명목상의 (실제로는 다를 수 있는)

Korean pronunciation: 어**스텐**서블

Example Sentences

  • His ostensible job was pizza delivery, but he was actually a secret agent.
  • The ostensible winner of the lottery turned out to be the lottery owner's cousin.
  • The meeting's ostensible goal was team building, but it was really about budget cuts.

ostensible

ADJECTIVE

//ɑːˈstensəbəl//

seemingly or apparently true, but not necessarily so; stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily true

ostensible concept
💡 Concept

A businessman's ostensible charity work conceals his theft of donations

ostensible mnemonic english
🧠 Mnemonic

Ostrich thinks it's hidden but remains completely visible to everyone

ostensible rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

His ostensible stance seemed defensible, but was it truly sensible?

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɑːˈstensəbəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ɒˈstensəbəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootostens
Suffix--ible

Origin

From Latin 'ostensibilis', derived from 'ostendere' meaning 'to show or display'. The word combines the prefix 'ob-' (toward) with 'tendere' (to stretch or extend), literally meaning 'to stretch toward showing'.

🎵Rhyme

defensiblecomprehensiblesensible
defensible
comprehensible
sensible

🔗Collocations

ostensible purpose
ostensible reason
ostensible leader
ostensible owner
ostensible motive

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

His ostensible job was pizza delivery, but he was actually a secret agent.

😄 Fun example

The ostensible winner of the lottery turned out to be the lottery owner's cousin.

The meeting's ostensible goal was team building, but it was really about budget cuts.

She made ostensible efforts to study, but spent most of her time on social media.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

apparentseemingsupposedallegedpurported

Antonyms

genuineauthenticreal

Related

superficialfacadepretensedisguise

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