'pretentious' originates from the French word 'prétentieux', which is derived from the Latin 'praetendere', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'tendere' meant 'to stretch'.

'prétentieux' transformed into the English word 'pretentious' during the late 17th century.

Initially, it meant 'to stretch forth or extend', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'attempting to impress by affecting greater importance'.