flashy
Americanadjective
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sparkling or brilliant, especially in a superficial way or for the moment.
a flashy performance.
-
ostentatiously or vulgarly smart; showy; gaudy.
flashy clothes.
adjective
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brilliant and dazzling, esp for a short time or in a superficial way
-
cheap and ostentatious
Synonym Usage
See gaudy 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of flashy
Explanation
To be flashy is to be showy in a tasteless way. Just like a flash of light is hard to ignore, flashy behavior draws attention. Do you know anyone who is a show-off? That person is probably flashy. Wearing brightly colored rings is flashy. Buying a sports car is flashy. Boasting about how much money you have is flashy. Flashy behavior is the opposite of classy: it consists of showing off things in a loud, obnoxious way.
Vocabulary lists containing flashy
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Long Way Down
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Because of Mr. Terupt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Flashy sneakers worn by skaters become a coveted purchase for nonskaters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Flashy billboards advertising dozens of brands hang above the highway linking Liuyang to its nearest airport.
From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026
Flashy haunted houses filled with grotesque sets and decked-out actors pop up everywhere this time of year, offering thrill-seekers a quick hit of adrenaline.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 26, 2023
Flashy, highly publicized weddings seem to be a thing of the past for Hollywood stars.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2022
Flashy, rhetorical openings were something I had to get the hang of.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
