ostensible
/ɒˈstɛn.sɪ.bəl/Appearing to be true or real on the surface, but possibly hiding the real reason or truth. It describes something stated or shown outwardly that may not reflect what is actually going on.
- The ostensible reason for the delay was bad weather.
- He was the ostensible leader, but others made the real decisions.
- Her ostensible calm hid a deep sense of anxiety.
Adinary Nuance
Ostensible sits close to apparent, supposed, purported, and alleged, but each has a different flavor. Apparent is ambiguous — it can mean "clearly obvious" or "seeming but not real," so context must decide. Ostensible almost always signals doubt: the stated reason or role is probably not the real one. Supposed is more casual ("the supposed winner") and doesn't carry as strong a sense of deliberate concealment. Purported is common in journalism for unverified claims about identity or origin ("the purported author"), while ostensible focuses on a gap between the official story and the hidden reality — making it the sharper, more academic choice when you want to imply skepticism about a stated motive or purpose.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tưởng như
- Spanish
- aparente
- Chinese
- 表面上
- Japanese
- 表向き
- Korean
- 겉으로는
Etymology
From Latin "ostendere," meaning "to show" or "to display," via French "ostensible" in the late 18th century. The root idea of something being "put on display" — shown outwardly but not necessarily genuine — still lives in the modern English meaning.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'ostensible' formal or informal?
- It is formal. You will see it most often in academic writing, journalism, and IELTS-level essays. In casual conversation, people usually say 'supposed' or 'apparent' instead.
- What is the difference between 'ostensible' and 'apparent'?
- 'Apparent' can mean either 'clearly visible' or 'seeming but not real,' so you need context to understand it. 'Ostensible' almost always means something is being presented as real but is likely not the true reason or role — the doubt is built in.
- Can I use 'ostensibly' as an adverb?
- Yes, and it is very common. 'Ostensibly' modifies a verb or a clause: 'He left early, ostensibly to catch a flight.' It is widely used in academic and formal writing.
- Is 'ostensible' used in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is a high-band vocabulary word. Using it correctly in Task 2 essays — especially when discussing stated versus real motives — can demonstrate strong academic register.