Behaving in an attention-seeking manner
via presenting oneself on the surface as being intelligent, provocative, important, avant-garde, humorous or significant, yet harboring ulterior motives, typically involving some form of personal gratification or material gain (
e.g. advancement in social status, career, wealth, etc.).
Note that using this word is often conflated to be a pretentious
act in and of itself, as this word is frequently used as a way to easily discredit
people, works of art, ideas or statements while simultaneously boosting
one's own status.
"I used to think they were a smart, edgy, fun group of people to hang out with... but as soon as they realized I didn't have anything to offer them in terms of getting more publicity or a book deal or an art gallery gig, they stopped talking to me. I don't even know why I try to be their friend anymore! Pretentious twits."
- - -
Dude #
1: "I really like the Three Stooges!"
Dude #2: "Whatever, they're so pretentious."
Dude #1: "Do you even know what that word means?"