CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 119
Vocabulary Unit 4
Vocabulary Lesson 22: Show Off!
Today’s roots: ped, paedere instruct grandis great, big
ostentare to display pomp splendor❑ pedantic(adj) showy about knowledge (paedereto instruct)
Kim’spedanticteaching style bothers her students; she uses bizarre vocabulary words nobody understands.
Synonyms:didactic, egotistic❑ grandiose(adj) pretentious; ridiculously exaggerated (grandisgreat)
The castle’s foyer was the most grandioseof its kind, adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilded banisters.
Synonyms:ostentatious, flamboyant, lofty Antonym:humble❑ bombastic(adj) pompous; using inflated language
Thebombasticlanguage in the mayor’s campaign speech made her seem arrogant and disconnected from the public.
Synonyms:grandiose, overblown Antonyms:understated, reserved❑ braggart(n) one who boasts; a showoff (braguerto show off)
No one likes a braggart; it’s better to be modest and humble about your successes.
Synonym:egotist❑ ostentatious(adj) showy; pretentious (ostentareto display +-iousfull of)
That solid gold statue is the most ostentatiousdisplay of wealth I have ever seen.
Synonyms:gaudy, grandiose, garish Antonyms:understated, reserved❑ pompous(adj) possessing excessive self-esteem; pretentious (pompsplendor+-ousfull of)
Hispompous,holier-than-thou attitude annoyed all of his classmates.
Synonyms:conceited, self-centered, pontifical Antonyms:modest, self-effacing, humble❑ swagger(v) to walk or strut in an arrogant manner
Having beat their crosstown rivals handily, the players swaggeredback to the locker room.
Synonyms:brag, strut❑ lofty(adj) haughty; overly proud
Synonyms:cavalier, pretentious❑ garish(adj) flashy; loud
Synonyms:ornate, ostentatious, gaudy❑ ornate(adj) overly decorated (ornatusto adorn)
Synonyms:ostentatious, opulent, gaudy❑ opulence(adj) luxuriousness (opulentuswealthy)
Synonyms:grandeur, affluence❑ pretentious(adj) ostentatious
Synonyms:gaudy, grandiose, garish❑ baroque(adj) extravagantly ornate and convoluted in style
Synonyms:flamboyant, florid