pretension

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++pre·ten·sion /prɪˈtenʃən/ noun [countable usually plural, uncountable] 1 PRETENDan attempt to seem more important, more intelligent, or of a higher class than you really are 自命不凡；虚荣；炫耀pretension to Lilith resented Adam’s pretensions to superiority. 利莉思十分厌恶亚当自命不凡的架势。 the humbleness and lack of pretension of Jordan’s cafe 乔丹的咖啡馆的朴实和低调2 a claim to be or do something 自命；声称；标榜pretension(s) to be something The group don’t have any pretensions to be pop stars. 这个组合从未标榜自己是流行乐坛的明星。pretension to a large village with pretensions to the status of a small town 以小镇自诩的大村庄

Examples from the Corpus

pretension• Despite the networks' accomplishments and pretensions, even their news departments tend to operate as much along show-business as educational lines.• However, its high art pretensions are hinted at by the epic tone of its title.• a neighborhood with middle-class pretensions• His pretensions, it seems, are based on economic advantage.• There were no intellectual points to be scored, no intense undergraduate conversations, no pretensions.• Part of his charm lies in his complete lack of pretension.• The rustic music they created has a timeless appeal, both in its deceptive simplicity and total lack of pretension.• Amy had always had social pretensions.lack of pretension• The food is honest and served up with an abundance of good will and lack of pretension.• The rustic music they created has a timeless appeal, both in its deceptive simplicity and total lack of pretension.pretension(s) to be something• Brookside, as in its earliest days, had pretensions to be at the cutting edge of a social issue.

pre·ten·sion nounChineseSyllable

to more of important, attempt seem or an Corpus more intelligent,

pretension
pre‧ten‧sion /prɪˈtenʃən/

noun [countable usually plural, uncountable]
1. an attempt to seem more important, more intelligent, or of a higher class than you really are
pretension to