mindmap root((炫耀)) showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste: the ~ costumes of the circus performers. pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing: for a family-style restaurant, the menu was far too ~. ostentatious stresses conspicuous or vainglorious display or parade that may or may not be showy or pretentious: very ~, even for a debutante party.