🇮🇳Hindi Source WordCode: HI

नकly शान दिखाना

Native Script:नकली शान दिखाना

Pronunciation / Transliteration: nakli shaan dikhana

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Put on airs/ˌpʊt ɒn ˈɛəz/
verb phraseCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #14500 frequency
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🇮🇳 Example Sentence in Hindi:

"उससे बात करते समय वह हमेशा नकली शान दिखाता है।"

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb phrase
  1. 1

    To behave in a way that suggests you are more important or cultured than you actually are.

    "Ever since she got promoted to manager, she has started putting on airs and ignoring her former colleagues."
  2. 2

    To affect an attitude of superiority or pretentiousness in social interactions.

    "There is no need to put on airs just because we are dining at a fancy restaurant; just be yourself."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Originating in the 18th century, the phrase combines the verb 'put on' (meaning to assume or affect a quality) with 'airs', derived from the archaic sense of 'air' meaning a peculiar look, mien, or affectation of manner. It draws upon the visual metaphor of wearing an artificial atmosphere or demeanor to project a higher social status than one actually possesses.

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