ostensive

O1S1T1E1N1S1I1V4E1
/ɒsˈtɛnsɪv/

adjective

Apparently true, but not necessarily; ostensible

Similar
instructiveinformativeostensiblecounterfeitimitative
OriginMiddle French ostensif ← Late Latin ostēnsīvus →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

adjectiveostensive (comparative more ostensive, superlative most ostensive)

comparative more ostensive · superlative most ostensive

  1. Apparently true, but not necessarily; ostensible
  2. Clearly demonstrative.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectivemanifestly demonstrative

Similar
instructiveinformative

adjectiverepresented or appearing as such; pretended

Similar
ostensiblecounterfeitimitative
Also see
ostensible

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Late Latinostēnsīvus
  2. Middle Frenchostensif
  3. Englishostensive

From Middle French ostensif and its etymon Late Latin ostēnsīvus.

More words from Middle French, Late Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish ostensywny
  • ostensywnyTranslations
Spanish ostensivo
  • ostensivoTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

ostensive. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ostensive

MLA

“ostensive.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ostensive. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ostensive,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ostensive.

Source: ostensive on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.