Pretentious people try to make a good impression on others by acting as though they are more special, important, skilled, or intelligent than they really are. If other people have described you as pretentious, a “snob,” or “fake,” this guide is for you.
Pretentious people may falsely believe that others see them as authentic and genuinely refined. Or it could be that they know what impression they make on others, but they would rather be seen as affected and uppity than as plain and ordinary, and they don't know how to pull off authentic and sophisticated.
A pretentious person wants to show himself as special, intelligent and different from others. He is not content with being average. He/ she always tries to be the best of everything and wants to attract the attention of others.
adjective. characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved: a pretentious, self-important waiter. making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.
Know their secret. Overconfident people are often quite insecure, and they cover up their insecurities through dominating and controlling others. They find it hard to admit being wrong, and they will often cling to a belief even in the face of evidence that it's outdated or wrong.
Being a pretentious snob is only covering up the fact that someone is fearful, ungrateful and doesn't know who they truly are. It's like being an actor in a movie except you play the part of what social media tells you to do. He got a car, so I need a car. She got a new outfit, so I need a new outfit.
Being pretentious is a bad idea for several reasons: it alienates people, it suggests you're smarter than perhaps you actually are, and it invites unfriendly scrutiny. Moreover, it's just irritating, ipso facto.
If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are. [disapproval]
On the one hand, it's a real shame because “pretentious” is a fantastically declarative-sounding insult, and unlike other teen favorites such “poseur”, it still packs a punch when adults hear it directed at them.
The adjective unpretentious is perfect for describing someone you know who's modest and natural and never tries to impress other people. Pretentious comes from the Latin word meaning "pretend," prætensus, so when you're unpretentious, you see no reason to pretend.
A pretentious person is pretending (same etymology) to be something or someone he or she is not. An ostentatious person, on the other hand, delights in flaunting who he or she is and/or what they have. An expression which may reflect the lifestyle of the "rich and famous" is "conspicuous consumption"!
/prɪˈtɛnʃɪs/ Use the adjective pretentious as a way to criticize people who try to act like they are more important or knowledgeable than they really are.
They don't bother getting to know other people on a deep or meaningful level. Instead, they look for admiration and attention. They like to name drop. Pretentious people talk about the brands they buy, important people that they know, and anything or anyone else who could make them look cool by association.
Pretentious people who are desperately trying to appear to be smarter or cooler than they really are will adopt these interests as their own. They will pretend to be interested even when they really couldn't care less. They'll likely fain interest in things like politics, old-fashioned literature or classical music.
: attracting or seeking to attract attention, admiration, or envy often by gaudiness or obviousness : overly elaborate or conspicuous : characterized by, fond of, or evincing ostentation. an ostentatious display of wealth/knowledge.
: expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature.
An intellectual snob can be defined as a person who takes pride in his/her own knowledge and achievements. They tend to become judgmental about others to boost their own egos.
Snob is a pejorative term for a person who believes there is a correlation between social status (including physical appearance) and human worth. Snob also refers to a person who feels superiority over those from lower social classes, education levels, or other social areas.
adjective. someone who is arrogant thinks they are better or more important than other people and behaves in a way that is rude and too confident.