English · Adjectives
ostensible
/ɒsˈten.sə.bəl/
[/ɒsˈten.sə.bəl/]
apparent but not real
Advancedadjective
Definition
Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so; seeming rather than actual.
Example
The ostensible reason for the trip was business, though it looked more like a holiday.
The ostensible reason for the trip was business, though it looked more like a holiday.
Etymology
From Latin 'ostendere' (to show), from 'ob-' plus 'tendere' (to stretch).
How & Where It’s Used
Common in journalism and formal analysis of stated versus real motives.