ostensibly

/ɑˈstɛnsəbɫi/ adv C1

in a way that seems to be true but may not be

Word Origin Ostensibly means 'apparently, outwardly', and it comes from Latin ostendere 'to show', which is os- 'in front' + tendere 'to stretch' — literally 'stretch before the eyes'. So something ostensibly true is what's shown, not necessarily what's real. The same tendere root gives us extend, pretend, and tension.

adv in a way that seems to be true but may not be C1

He ostensibly agreed to help, but he never showed up.

(副词) 表面上;似乎

他表面上同意帮忙,但从未出现。

(adverbio) aparentemente; presuntamente; supuestamente; en apariencia [de manera que parece ser verdad pero puede no serlo]

Aparentemente aceptó ayudar, pero nunca se presentó.

(adverbe) en apparence; prétendument; soi-disant; apparemment [D'une manière qui semble vraie ou réelle sans l'être forcément.]

Il a ostensiblement accepté d'aider, mais il ne s'est jamais présenté.

(Adverb) angeblich; vorgeblich; scheinbar [scheinbar oder dem äußeren Eindruck nach, ohne dass die tatsächlichen Umstände sicher sind]

Er hat **ostensibly** zugestimmt, aber ich glaube nicht, dass er es ernst meint.

(副詞) 本当のように見えるが、そうとは限らない様子で

彼は表向きは手伝いを引き受けたものの、結局姿を現しませんでした。

(advérbio) aparentemente; supostamente; presumivelmente [de um modo que parece ser verdadeiro, mas pode não ser]

Ele supostamente concordou em ajudar, mas nunca apareceu.

adv Seemingly, apparently, on the surface; supposedly, according to representations or implications made by someone (especially when their motives are suspected by others).

He ostensibly came to discuss business, but his real intention was to see her.

(副词) 表面上;貌似;看似; outwardly; ostentatiously

他表面上是为了谈生意而来,但真实意图却是为了见她。

(adverbio) aparentemente; en apariencia; supuestamente; presuntamente; al parecer [Aparentemente, en apariencia, en la superficie; supuestamente, según las representaciones o insinuaciones de alguien (especialmente cuando otros sospechan de sus motivos).]

**Aparentemente** vino a hablar de negocios, pero su verdadera intención era verla a ella.

(adverbe) apparemment; en apparence; soi-disant; censément; prétendument [En apparence, soi-disant, selon ce qui est donné à voir (souvent quand les motifs réels sont suspectés).]

Il est venu ostensibly pour discuter affaires, mais sa véritable intention était de la voir.

(Adverb) angeblich; vorgeblich; dem Anschein nach [Angeblich, scheinbar oder dem Anschein nach; wie von jemandem dargestellt (besonders wenn dessen Motive von anderen angezweifelt werden).]

Er kam **ostensibly**, um über Geschäfte zu sprechen, aber sein wahres Ziel war es, sie zu sehen.

(副詞) 一見したところ、表面上は、申しぶんによれば(特に他者の動機が疑われている場合)。

彼は表面上はビジネスの相談に来たように見えたが、本当の意図は彼女に会うことだった。

(advérbio) aparentemente; supostamente; ao que parece; em tese; à primeira vista [Aparentemente, ao que parece, na superfície; supostamente, de acordo com representações ou implicações feitas por alguém (especialmente quando seus motivos são suspeitos para outros).]

Ele **aparentemente** veio para discutir negócios, mas sua verdadeira intenção era vê-la.

Common collocations

ground subst order subst there adv protect verb design verb party subst resign verb fight verb set verb

Related words

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