meretricious
[mer-i-trish-uhs]
- alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.
- based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.
- pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute.
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Origin of meretricious
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
toyfrillornamenttrinketostentationdecorationpretentiousnessadornmentknickknackbaubleshowinessgaudinesstawdrinessmeretriciousnessfussinessfancinessfandangleExamples from the Web for meretriciousness
Historical Examples
The meretriciousness of women and their love of luxury are denounced.
FolkwaysWilliam Graham Sumner
She felt that she was a living part of John's meretriciousness.
LeonoraArnold Bennett
There was a suggestion of meretriciousness in the tinted lips and the pretence of colour on the charming face.
The Hand in the DarkArthur J. Rees
meretricious
- superficially or garishly attractive
- insinceremeretricious praise
- archaic of, like, or relating to a prostitute
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Word Origin
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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Word Origin and History for meretriciousness
meretricious
adj.
1620s, "pertaining to harlots," from Latin meretricius "of or pertaining to prostitutes," from meretrix (genitive meretricis) "prostitute," literally "woman who earns money," from merere, mereri "to earn, gain" (see merit (n.)). Meaning "gaudily alluring" is from 1630s. Related: Meretriciously; meretriciousness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper