os·ten·si·ble
Pronounced:
/ɑˈstɛnsəbəl/
Function:
adjective always used before a nounMeaning:
: seeming or said to be true or real but very possibly not true or real ▪ The ostensible reason for his visit was to see an old friend. [=he said the reason was to see an old friend, but the real reason may have been something different] ▪ The ostensible [=apparent] purpose of the article is to encourage young adults to vote.
—os·ten·si·bly /ɑˈstɛnsəbli/ adverb ▪ The story is ostensibly fiction, but some of the events are based on real life. ▪ Ostensibly, the reason for his visit was to see an old friend.
/ɑˈstɛnsəbli/ adverb ▪ The story is ostensibly fiction, but some of the events are based on real life. ▪ Ostensibly, the reason for his visit was to see an old friend.