What is pretension?

Pretension is the act of claiming or making a false appearance of a certain quality or status that one does not actually possess. It refers to behavior or attitudes perceived as exaggerated or artificial, often motivated by a desire to impress or appear superior. People who are pretentious may try to give off an aura of wealth, education, intelligence, culture, or sophistication that they do not actually possess. Pretension can be a barrier to real connection and can be found in many areas of life, such as social status, fashion, art, and language. It is can be seen as negative quality and often leads to social isolation.