Ostensible — Word of the Day January 11, 2027

Definition

Appearing to be true but not necessarily so; apparent. The ostensible reason for the visit was pleasure, but everyone suspected a business motive.

“His ostensible concern for the employees masked a purely financial interest in the deal.”

From French ostensible, from Latin ostendere (to show), from ob- + tendere (to stretch).

O₁S₁T₁E₁N₁S₁I₁B₃L₁E₁

OSTENSIBLE scores 12 points in Scrabble.