From the list
Ostensible
Today’s word is Scrutinize.
What it means
- adjective
Apparent, evident; meant for open display.
- adjective
Appearing as such; being such in appearance; professed, supposed (rather than demonstrably true or real).
“The ostensible reason for his visit to New York was to see his mother, but the real reason was to get to the Yankees game the next day.”
Where it comes from
Ostensible comes from Latin ostendere, to show, from ob, toward, and tendere, to stretch. What is ostensible is what is held out for people to see.
Quick check
What does ostensible mean? Tap one.
Recent words
- October 6VernacularThe everyday language of a place, as people actually speak it.
- October 5EmpiricalBased on observation or experiment, not on theory alone.
- October 4ParadigmA typical example, or a framework that shapes how a field thinks.
- October 3ConjectureA conclusion formed from incomplete evidence; a guess with reasons.
- October 2AltruismUnselfish concern for the good of other people.
- October 1SuccinctSaid in few words, with nothing extra.
- September 30TenaciousHolding on firmly and not giving up.
- September 29LucidClear and easy to understand, or thinking clearly.
- September 28AustereSevere, plain, and without luxury or decoration.