ostensibly
|os-ten-si-bly|
C1
🇺🇸
/əˈstɛnsəbli/
🇬🇧
/ɒˈstɛnsəbli/
(ostensible)
apparent
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ostensible' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ostensibilis,' where 'ostendere' meant 'to show.'
Historical Evolution
'ostensibilis' transformed into the French word 'ostensible,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ostensible' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'capable of being shown,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'apparent or seeming.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
appearing or claiming to be one thing when it is really something else.
He was ostensibly on a business trip, but he was actually on vacation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35