Ostensibly
/ɒˈstɛnsɪbli/
Definitions
As appears or is stated to be true, though possibly not actually; apparently.
/ɒˈstɛnsɪbli/
Apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually
She claimed she was working late, but ostensibly, she was at a concert.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend says they're 'ostensibly' going to the library, but you know they're really going to meet their crush. Ostensibly means it *seems* that way, but it might not be the whole truth!
👶 For kids: It means it looks like something is true, but maybe it's not really.
More Examples
The company was ostensibly founded to help the poor, but its profits went to a few wealthy shareholders.
He made an ostensibly sincere apology, but his tone suggested he didn't really mean it.
How It's Used
"He was ostensibly on a business trip, but his colleagues suspected otherwise."
"The government's actions were ostensibly for public safety, but critics claimed they were politically motivated."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
for all intents and purposes
Essentially; virtually; practically.
"For all intents and purposes, the project was a failure due to a lack of funding."
From Latin *ostendere* ('to show'), through Old French *ostensible* ('apparent, evident'). The '-ly' suffix creates an adverb.
The word has been in use since the 17th century, initially in the sense of 'shown' or 'manifest'. Its modern sense of 'apparently' or 'purportedly' developed later.
Memory tip
Think of 'ostensibly' as a polite way of saying 'it looks like' or 'it's claimed that.'
Word Origin
"to show"