pretentious Definition| Urban Word Dictionary

pretentious

Behaving in an attention-seeking manner via presenting oneself on the surface as being intelligent, provocative, important, avant-garde, humorous or significant, yet harboring ulterior motives, typically involving some form of personal gratification or material gain (e.g. advancement in social status, career, wealth, etc.).Note that using this word is often conflated to be a pretentious act in and of itself, as this word is frequently used as a way to easily discredit people, works of art, ideas or statements while simultaneously boosting one's own status.

pretentious

by intheflesh on Dec 09, 2005 21:49:24

Trying to sound intelligent by using long, complicated words, even though you don't know what they mean.

Example:
Pete: "hey, listen to this. it's post-hardcore emomathglitch rock. The lyrics really reveal the prerequisite existentialism of the singers inner hades!"

Ed: "do you even know what that means"

Pete: "um... well, no"

Ed: "you're so pretentious"

pretentious

by khcvb on Jun 07, 2010 20:26:25

Definitely two meanings, and they really depend on the attitudes of the user, and what the user thinks is fake or real. So:

A) "Pretentious" can be a useful phrase to describe something that is fake or pretend, or somebody who is pretending in order to conform. Sometimes it is still used that way.

B) Its meaning has also become completely the opposite. In the English-speaking world, "pretentious" has become a catch-all phrase to criticize anything or anyone that is vaguely heartfelt, intellectual, earnest, sincere, artistic, unconventional, nonconformist, non-commercial, or not on TV, on Youtube or in the supermarket.

Example:
Take your pick:

A) The blonde in American Beauty, Angela Hayes, lied about having lost her virginity and being sex-mad. In fact, she was an insecure virgin, and worried about what people would think of her. So she pretended to be a slut. She was pretentious.

B) The lonely boy in American Beauty, Ricky Fitts, who thought the plastic bag in the wind was beautiful couldn't really have thought that, he just wanted to be different from other people, and was pretending to be deep. He was pretentious.

pretentious

by ohohohohohoh on Apr 20, 2009 10:52:56

displaying a self-image of being "special", "intelligent", and "different". not content with being average, and striving to be the best at everything and grabbing all attention. speaking in cliches. having no humility or originality.

Example:
AF: Doubt, give reason to smile. Guilt hears false pretenses.
me: What!?
AF: The wind caressed my face.
me: Your pretentiousness makes me want to staple your mouth shut.

pretentious

by Limey on Aug 12, 2004 14:33:11

adj.
1. A word that is often abused by pseudo-intellectuals.
2. Used to arrogantly display one's own pretentious tendencies by criticizing masterly works or people (e.g. art-rock bands--see. Radiohead)
3. Evokes strong evidence of hypocrisy in one's nature.
4. A word that, once applied, unfairly destroys geniuses and their works with one swift and cheap movement of affectation.

Example:
I am not pretentious and I make no claims to a position of merit, and therefore I don't demand that you agree with me.

pretentious

by HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! on Jul 12, 2012 02:29:56

Being a stuck up tool.

Example:
Sarah is so pretentious because she only eats Boar's Head deli meat.

pretentious

by wsucoug on Aug 21, 2011 11:07:50

A word that describes the people that use it

Example:
Fred: "That was the most abysmal, misogynistic waste of time I'm likely to ever experience in this terrestial realm."

George: "Don't be pretentious. Just tell me you don't like American Pie next time."

pretentious

by emm on May 29, 2003 06:39:14

the majority of people who make definitions to other words on this site.

you don't need to say mean things to eachother just to be different. accept different opinions and learn how to do it in a more mature manner.

Example:
If you complain about people not accepting you, it's probablly because you don't accept them. Stop being so pretentious.

pretentious

by Luau999 on Dec 31, 2010 16:01:43

When people mention the last thing they read in school as if it was obvious, and as if you'd have to be completely stupid not to know what they're talking about.

Also when people talk like they're giving a formal speech.

Example:
Why won't that girl just say what she means? It's so pretentious. Reminds me of Trübner, really.

pretentious

by thestripedone on Sep 10, 2007 10:10:51

What people who are naturally smarter and better than others are often seen, mistakenly, as being. (Commonly attributed to British people, for obvious reasons).

Example:
"Look at that guy who's reading a book. He's so pretentious. Let's go watch brainless action movies like everybody else!"

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