Ostensible refers to something that is presented or appears to be true, but may not actually be the case.

It is often used to describe a situation where the outward appearance or declared reason for something might conceal the real or hidden truth. The term implies a possible discrepancy between what is shown or stated and what actually exists or happens.

Here are a few contexts where “ostensible” is commonly used:

1. Appearance vs. Reality: When something is described as ostensible, it means that it looks or is claimed to be a certain way, but there might be another underlying truth. For example, “The ostensible reason for the meeting was to discuss finances, but in reality, it was about restructuring the organization”.
2. Motives or Purposes: It can refer to actions or reasons that are publicly stated but may disguise the true intent. For instance, “His ostensible concern for the environment was really a cover for promoting his own business”.
3. Superficial Presentation: In some cases, ostensible refers to something that seems evident or obvious on the surface, but deeper investigation may reveal something different.

In essence, the term suggests a potential gap between what is outwardly apparent and what is genuinely true.