ostensible
adjective/ɑˈstɛnsɪbəl/
Frequency rank: #19,247 most common English word
Meaning
Appearing or stated to be true, but not necessarily so; seeming.
Example sentence
The ostensible reason for his visit was to discuss business, but everyone suspected he had other motives.
Synonyms & related words
Practice this word in the quiz
More words in ranks 19,201–19,300
- cornstarcha fine white powder made from corn, used to thicken sauces, soups, and other foods.
- decimateTo destroy or kill a large part of something; to cause severe damage to.
- downbeatpessimistic or gloomy in mood or outlook.
- interferometeran instrument that uses the interference of light waves to make precise measurements of distance or wavelength.
- isotropicHaving physical properties that are the same in all directions.
- peculiarityA characteristic or habit that is strange or unusual; an oddity.
- phylogenyThe evolutionary history and development of a species or group of organisms.
- rotisserieA cooking device with a rotating spit for roasting meat, or a restaurant specializing in such food.
- seahorseA small marine fish with a horse-like head and an upright body, belonging to the genus Hippocampus.
- testaThe hard outer coating or shell of a seed.