What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fastuous
Example
The fastuous mansion was filled with expensive art and furniture. [fastuous: adjective]
Example
He made a fastuous display of his wealth by arriving in a gold-plated limousine. [fastuous: adjective]
pretentious
Example
The pretentious art exhibit was filled with obscure and meaningless pieces. [pretentious: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a pretentious manner, using big words she didn't understand. [pretentious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pretentious is more commonly used than fastuous in everyday language. Pretentious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fastuous is less common and may be considered archaic or outdated in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fastuous and pretentious?
Fastuous has a more formal and literary tone than pretentious, which is more commonly used in everyday language. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.
