Tacky (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Tastelessly showy; "a flash car"; "a flashy ring"; "garish colors"; "a gaudy costume"; "loud sport shirts"; "a meretricious yet stylish book"; "tawdry ornaments".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The glittering neon lights of the city's nightlife district were a bit tacky, but they added to the overall excitement of the area.
- Her taste in jewelry was questionable, often favoring tacky, oversized pieces that clashed with her otherwise elegant outfits.
- The hotel lobby's decor was straight out of the 1970s, with tacky patterned carpet and faded velvet armchairs.
- After the divorce, he replaced his wife's elegant furnishings with tacky, beer-pong-inspired decorations that seemed to scream "bachelor pad."
- The touristy souvenir shops along the beachfront promenade sold all sorts of tacky trinkets and novelty items that seemed to cater more to irony than actual taste.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
(of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch; "tacky varnish".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The freshly applied nail polish was still tacky, so I had to wait a few more minutes to touch anything.
- The wet paint on the wall was tacky, and I accidentally got some on my clothing when I brushed against it.
- If you handle the model too soon, the tacky glue will smudge and ruin the entire piece.
- After applying the varnish, I had to let it sit overnight because it was still a bit tacky in the morning.
- The artist applied a special tacky coating to the sculpture to give it a textured appearance.