meretricious
[ mer-i-trish-uhs ]
/ ˌmɛr ɪˈtrɪʃ əs /
adjective
alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.
based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.
pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
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Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of meretricious
OTHER WORDS FROM meretricious
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meretricious
meritorious, meretriciousWords nearby meretricious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for meretricious
meretricious
/ (ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs) /
adjective
superficially or garishly attractive
insinceremeretricious praise
archaic of, like, or relating to a prostitute
Derived forms of meretricious
meretriciously, adverbmeretriciousness, nounWord Origin for meretricious
C17: from Latin merētrīcius, from merētrix prostitute, from merēre to earn money
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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