UNPRETENDING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unpretending mean? 

• UNPRETENDING (adjective)
  The adjective UNPRETENDING has 1 sense:

1. not ostentatious

  Familiarity information: UNPRETENDING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNPRETENDING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not ostentatious

Synonyms:

unostentatious; unpretending; unpretentious

Context example:

unostentatious elegance

Similar:

quiet; restrained (not showy or obtrusive)

 Context examples 

He must know that she was as amiable and unpretending as we have found her.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The domestic, unpretending merits of a person never known do not often create that kind of fervent, venerating tenderness which would prompt a visit like yours.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

An unpretending, single-minded, artless girl—infinitely to be preferred by any man of sense and taste to such a woman as Mrs. Elton.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Had you seen her this morning, Mary, he continued, attending with such ineffable sweetness and patience to all the demands of her aunt's stupidity, working with her, and for her, her colour beautifully heightened as she leant over the work, then returning to her seat to finish a note which she was previously engaged in writing for that stupid woman's service, and all this with such unpretending gentleness, so much as if it were a matter of course that she was not to have a moment at her own command, her hair arranged as neatly as it always is, and one little curl falling forward as she wrote, which she now and then shook back, and in the midst of all this, still speaking at intervals to me, or listening, and as if she liked to listen, to what I said.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Now, there was nothing so charming to her imagination as the unpretending comfort of a well-connected parsonage, something like Fullerton, but better: Fullerton had its faults, but Woodston probably had none.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Two or three more of the chosen only were to be admitted to join them, and it was to be done in a quiet, unpretending, elegant way, infinitely superior to the bustle and preparation, the regular eating and drinking, and picnic parade of the Eltons and the Sucklings.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

I know no one more entitled, by unpretending merit, or better prepared by habitual suffering, to receive and enjoy felicity.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

This was the occurrence:—The Coles had been settled some years in Highbury, and were very good sort of people—friendly, liberal, and unpretending; but, on the other hand, they were of low origin, in trade, and only moderately genteel.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

'Tis true, we can offer you nothing like the gaieties of this lively place; we can tempt you neither by amusement nor splendour, for our mode of living, as you see, is plain and unpretending; yet no endeavours shall be wanting on our side to make Northanger Abbey not wholly disagreeable.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)