pretension /prɪˈtɛnʃən/ noun plural pretensions
plural pretensions
Learner's definition of PRETENSION
formal
1
[noncount] : the unpleasant quality of people who think of themselves as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are自命不凡;自高自大 -
He spoke about his achievements without pretension.他讲述自己成就的时候并没有自命不凡。
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I admire his honesty and lack of pretension.我欣赏他诚实,不自大。
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The restaurant offers excellent food without pretension.这家餐馆东西很好吃,没有自卖自夸。
2
[count] : a desire to do something or a claim to be something that is impressive or important宏图;标榜 —
usually plural通常用复数 -
The movie has no artistic pretensions. = The movie has no pretensions to/of being great art. [=the movie is not trying/claiming to be artistic]这部电影并未标榜是艺术精品。
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She has serious literary pretensions. [=aspirations]她有严肃的文学理想。