ostensible
/ɑˈstɛnsəbəl/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of OSTENSIBLE
always used before a noun
:
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.
— ostensibly
/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.