be pretentious

[/bi prɪˈtɛnʃəs/]

verb phrase

ser pretensioso/a

1. to behave or speak in a way that is intended to impress others but lacks sincerity; to claim a level of importance or ability that one does not possess

He was being pretentious by claiming he understood modern art when he clearly didn't.

Ele estava sendo pretensioso ao afirmar que entendia de arte moderna quando claramente não entendia.

2. to assume an air of superiority or refinement that is false or exaggerated

She's always being pretentious about her expensive taste in wine.

Ela está sempre sendo pretensiosa sobre seu gosto refinado em vinhos caros.

NYC Slang

be bougie; be fake; put on airs

Synonyms

be affected be pompous put on airs show off be snobbish

Antonyms

be humble be genuine be sincere be unpretentious be down-to-earth

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

ser pretensioso/a; dar-se ares

most common usage in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

ser pretensioso/a; se achar

colloquial variant

São Paulo

ser pretensioso/a; fazer pose

common informal variant

Portugal

ser pretenso/a; dar-se ares; ser afetado/a

Portuguese variant; 'pretenso' also used

Related Idioms & Phrases

put on airs

give oneself airs

act high and mighty

be too big for one's boots

strike an attitude

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