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ostensible

/ɒˈstɛns.ɪ.bəl/
Meanings
  • adjective

    Apparently or apparently seeming, but not necessarily being, what it is represented to be.

Pronunciation
  1. /ɑˈstɛns.ɪ.bəl/



    Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34872350"
Antonyms

ulterior
Rhymes
Words rhyming with ostensible
distensible , ensignable , ensurable , extensible , intensible
Variants
List of all variants of ostensible that leads to same result
ostensible
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Latin ostensibilis, present participle of ostendere ‘show, exhibit’.

Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

  1. The term 'ostensible' was first used in English in the 15th century.

  2. In law, an ostensible owner is someone who appears to own something but does not have legal title to it.

Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

  1. Deception: Ostensible is related to deception as it refers to something that appears to be something else.

  2. Disguise: Ostensible is related to disguise as it refers to something that hides its true nature.

Quotes
Quotes by authors and personalities

  1. To listen again to "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"—probably the most relentlessly cheerful song ever written on the "ostensible" theme of misery—is at once to admire its delicately judged textures and Swiss-watch precision …

    - Geoffrey O'Brien,{it}New York Review of Books{/it},15 Dec. 2005

  2. It's a snarky, glory-thieving place, the world of big-bucks political fund raising. "Ostensible" grownups can be reduced to screaming toddlers over who gets the credit for bringing in a major donor's gift …

    - Viveca Novak,{it}Time{/it},14 June 1999

  3. That intelligence and those facts, of course, all pertained to Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, the war's "ostensible" casus belli, which we now know did not exist.

    - Frank Rich,{it}New York Review{/it},6 Apr. 2006

  4. Its "ostensible" subject is America's murderous gun culture. Its real subject, of course, is the ravenous ego of its director-star, Michael Moore.

    - Scott Berg,{it}Time{/it},14 July 2003
Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'ostensible' is often used to describe a character or situation that appears to be one thing but is actually something else. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's short story 'The Masque of the Red Death,' the Red Death is ostensibly a plague, but it is actually a supernatural entity.

How to Memorize "ostensible"

  1. visualize

    - Imagine an object or situation that appears to be one thing but is actually something else. For example, a magician's hat that appears to be empty but contains doves.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word 'ostensible' with the word 'deception' or 'disguise'.

  3. mnemonics

    - Create a mnemonic using the acronym OSTENS: Ostensible Seems To be Something Else.

🧠 Bonus Tips

To help you remember the word 'ostensible', follow these practical tricks with steps:

1. Break it down: The word 'ostensible' can be broken down into 'oste' and 'nsible'. 'Oste' might remind you of 'osteo' which is a prefix related to bone in anatomy. While 'nsible' is similar to 'possible' but with an 'n' instead of 'p'. So, 'ostensible' could be thought of as a 'bone-able' or 'possible' thing, but with a different meaning in context.

2. Associate with a phrase: Create a memorable phrase using the word. For example, 'The ostensible reason for the party was a birthday, but really it was a surprise proposal'.

3. Practice spelling: Write the word a few times to help you remember the spelling. Start by writing it in sentences to practice using it in context. For example, 'The ostensible purpose of the meeting was unclear to many of the attendees'.

4. Use mnemonics: Create a mnemonic to help you remember the word. For example, 'Only Some Theories Ever Show Interesting, Believable Evidence, Lessons' (O.S.T.E.N.S.I.B.L.E.).

Memorize "ostensible" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize ostensible is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

  1. Highlighting:

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  2. Periodic Reminders:

    Dictozo will send you periodic reminders to remind you the saved word, it will ask you quiz. These reminders could be in the form of notifications or emails, prompting users to recall and reinforce their knowledge.

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