Pretension
noun
A claim to something.
She has a pretension to the inheritance of the property.
Usage tips
Formal
noun
An attitude that you are more important than others.
His pretensions to superiority irritate his colleagues.
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
An attempt to look better or more important than you really are.
The event was designed with no pretension to elegance or good taste.
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
An intention to do something or the likelihood that something will happen, especially when it is not likely to happen.
Despite the company's ambitious pretensions, it has not yet made a profit.
noun
A claim to something.
She has a pretension to the inheritance of the property.
Usage tips
Formal
noun
An attitude that you are more important than others.
His pretensions to superiority irritate his colleagues.
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
An attempt to look better or more important than you really are.
The event was designed with no pretension to elegance or good taste.
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
An intention to do something or the likelihood that something will happen, especially when it is not likely to happen.
Despite the company's ambitious pretensions, it has not yet made a profit.
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Legal Context
Often used in legal or formal situations when discussing rights to assets.
The heirs' pretension to the estate was examined in court.
Pro Tip 2/2Asserting Claims
Expresses a firm belief in one's right to something, even if not universally acknowledged.
Her pretension to the director's position was met with surprise.
Compare with
arrogantconceitegotisticallygrandiosehaughtinesspresumptionsnobberyvanity
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Video examples
Is Humanity Smart Enough...
the computer would, if correctly programmed, be able to write novels and compose music. That is a pretty big insight in 1843. "But," said Ada, "The computer should never have any pretensions
Video examples
John Wesley Powell: From...
three boats we discovered that for some unknown reason we had packed all of the thermometers and barometers in the No Name now we had very little pretensions
Video examples
Is Humanity Smart Enough...
the computer would, if correctly programmed, be able to write novels and compose music. That is a pretty big insight in 1843. "But," said Ada, "The computer should never have any pretensions
Video examples
John Wesley Powell: From...
three boats we discovered that for some unknown reason we had packed all of the thermometers and barometers in the No Name now we had very little pretensions
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Ricky Gervais
English Writer
I think you can make fun of anything except things people can't help. They can't help their race or their sex or their age, so you ridicule their pretension or their ego instead. You can ridicule ideas - ideas don't have feelings. You can ridicule an idea that someone holds without hurting them.
Quote examples
Guy Laliberte
Canadian Businessman
We are in a position of financial and social power, and we could be agents of change in our society. Without pretension, I believe we could be a nice little gardener who takes care of the garden, and hopefully our neighbor will do the same. Then, maybe we'll achieve a better world.
Quote examples
Olivier Theyskens
Belgian Designer
I don't think couture will die. But it should have no pretension that it will conquer the world. It's not something that will disappear because all you need is a thread and a needle to start making something couture.
Quote examples
David S. Goyer
American Director
I grew up reading comic books, pulp books, mystery and science fiction and fantasy. I'm a geek; I make no pretensions otherwise. It's the stuff that I love writing about. I like creating worlds.
Quote examples
Elias Hicks
American Clergyman
What encouragement the apostle holds out to us. O my friends, that we might leave all our pretensions, and come to the truth in our own hearts.
Quote examples
Zadie Smith
British Novelist
I recognize myself to be an intensely naive person. Most novelists are, despite frequent pretensions to deep socio-political insight.
Quote examples
Sam Neill
Irish Actor
I always want to be as good in the part as I possibly can. But I make no pretensions of being the greatest actor in the world.
Quote examples
Margot Fonteyn
English Dancer
Any sort of pretension induces mediocrity in art and life alike.
Quote examples
E. T. Bell
Scottish Mathematician
Science makes no pretension to eternal truth or absolute truth.
Quote examples
David Bowie
English Musician
I'm responsible for starting a whole new school of pretension.
Quote examples
Ricky Gervais
English Writer
I think you can make fun of anything except things people can't help. They can't help their race or their sex or their age, so you ridicule their pretension or their ego instead. You can ridicule ideas - ideas don't have feelings. You can ridicule an idea that someone holds without hurting them.
Quote examples
Guy Laliberte
Canadian Businessman
We are in a position of financial and social power, and we could be agents of change in our society. Without pretension, I believe we could be a nice little gardener who takes care of the garden, and hopefully our neighbor will do the same. Then, maybe we'll achieve a better world.
Quote examples
Olivier Theyskens
Belgian Designer
I don't think couture will die. But it should have no pretension that it will conquer the world. It's not something that will disappear because all you need is a thread and a needle to start making something couture.
Quote examples
David S. Goyer
American Director
I grew up reading comic books, pulp books, mystery and science fiction and fantasy. I'm a geek; I make no pretensions otherwise. It's the stuff that I love writing about. I like creating worlds.
Quote examples
Elias Hicks
American Clergyman
What encouragement the apostle holds out to us. O my friends, that we might leave all our pretensions, and come to the truth in our own hearts.
Quote examples
Zadie Smith
British Novelist
I recognize myself to be an intensely naive person. Most novelists are, despite frequent pretensions to deep socio-political insight.
Quote examples
Sam Neill
Irish Actor
I always want to be as good in the part as I possibly can. But I make no pretensions of being the greatest actor in the world.
Quote examples
Margot Fonteyn
English Dancer
Any sort of pretension induces mediocrity in art and life alike.
Quote examples
E. T. Bell
Scottish Mathematician
Science makes no pretension to eternal truth or absolute truth.
Quote examples
David Bowie
English Musician
I'm responsible for starting a whole new school of pretension.
Example 1 of 10
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