ostensibly — Apparently or seemingly, but possibly not actually. Used to indicate that something appears to be true on the surface but may not be genuine.
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: Apparently or seemingly, but possibly not actually. Used to indicate that something appears to be true on the surface but may not be genuine.
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɑˈstɛnsəbli/
Example Sentences
- The meeting was ostensibly about budget planning, but everyone knew it was really about firing people.
- My cat ostensibly sleeps 16 hours a day, but I suspect she's actually plotting world domination.
- He ostensibly quit social media for mental health, but still checks Instagram every five minutes.
ostensibly
ADVERB[/ɑˈstɛnsəbli/]
Apparently or seemingly, but possibly not actually. Used to indicate that something appears to be true on the surface but may not be genuine.
He was ostensibly studying, but a comic book was hidden inside the textbook.
O(zero) + STENS(stains) + IBLE(visible) — the shirt looked ostensibly spotless from the front.
He dressed sensibly, but he was only ostensibly wealthy.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'ostendere' meaning 'to show' or 'to display'. The word evolved to suggest something that appears to be true on the surface but may not reflect the actual reality underneath.
Breakdown
ostens- (from Latin 'ostendere' meaning 'to show/display') + -ibly (adverb suffix meaning 'in a manner that')
🎵Rhyme
📝Examples
“The meeting was ostensibly about budget planning, but everyone knew it was really about firing people.”
“My cat ostensibly sleeps 16 hours a day, but I suspect she's actually plotting world domination.”
“He ostensibly quit social media for mental health, but still checks Instagram every five minutes.”
“The company ostensibly supports work-life balance while expecting 80-hour work weeks.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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