ostensible

单词:ostensible
词性:adj.
音标: [ɑːˈstensəbl]
释义:表面上的,声称的,未经核实真假,中性词
词根:ostens- 出现 ostensive adj. 以例证表明的;表面上的; ostentation n. 夸示,炫耀 ; ostentatious adj. 铺张的;卖弄的
近义词:
例句: ostensible purpose 表面上的目的

When something is ostensible it appears to be the case but might not be. Your ostensible reason for visiting every bakery in town is that you’re looking for a part-time job — but I think you really just want to eat cupcakes.

Just because something is ostensible doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not as it appears to be, only that there’s a possibility of another reason. Your ostensible reason for calling your crush was to ask about homework; the real reason was that you were hoping they would ask you out. Ostensible derives from the Latin verb ostendere, meaning “to show or display.”