What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pretentious
Example
He always uses big words to sound smarter than everyone else. [pretentious: adjective]
Example
Her pretentious attitude made it hard for others to connect with her. [pretentious: adjective]
showy
Example
The showy car caught everyone's attention as it drove by. [showy: adjective]
Example
She always wears showy jewelry to make herself stand out. [showy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Showy is more commonly used than pretentious in everyday language. Showy is often used to describe material possessions or appearance, while pretentious is more often used to describe behavior or language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pretentious and showy?
Both pretentious and showy are informal words, but pretentious is often used in more formal contexts to describe behavior or language that is seen as insincere or overdone.
