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meretricious
[ mer-i-trish-uhs ]
/ ˌmɛr ɪˈtrɪʃ əs /
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adjective
alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.
based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.
Archaic. relating to or characteristic of a prostitute.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
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. 2023
How to use meretricious in a sentence
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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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