Words / C2

o-STENS-uh-bl/ɒˈstensəbl/

Ostensible means the reason or appearance that is stated — as opposed to the actual one. Apparent is a close cousin; alleged keeps a legal distance. Ostensibly is the common adverb (ostensibly a fact-finding trip), and you should always set it against what is actual, real, or underlying, or the word does no work. In speech, on the face of it or the stated reason is enough — never treat ostensible as a synonym for real.

Meaning

Stated as the reason or appearance, but perhaps not the real one (formal).

Examples

• “His ostensible reason was illness; the real one was fear.”
• “The ostensible aim was consultation; the actual aim was delay.”
• “Ostensibly a revision class, it became a quiet complaint session.”

Good to know

Stated/apparent, NOT actual. Adverb: ostensibly. Everyday: on the face of it / the stated reason. Contrast with actual/real.

Near in meaning

apparent

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