meretricious

[mer-i-trish-uhs]

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adjective

alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.

based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.

pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute.

Origin of meretricious

1620–30; < Latin meretrīcius of, pertaining to prostitutes, derivative of meretrīx prostitute, equivalent to mere-, stem of merēre to earn + -trīx -trix; see -ous

Related formsmer·e·tri·cious·ly, adverbmer·e·tri·cious·ness, nounun·mer·e·tri·cious, adjectiveun·mer·e·tri·cious·ly, adverbun·mer·e·tri·cious·ness, noun

Can be confusedmeritorious meretricious

Synonyms for meretricious

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1. showy, gaudy. 2. spurious, sham, false.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for meretriciousness

toy, frill, ornament, trinket, ostentation, decoration, pretentiousness, adornment, knickknack, bauble, showiness, gaudiness, tawdriness, fussiness, fanciness, fandangle

Examples from the Web for meretriciousness

Historical Examples of meretriciousness

The meretriciousness of women and their love of luxury are denounced.
Folkways
William Graham Sumner
She felt that she was a living part of John's meretriciousness.
Leonora
Arnold Bennett
There was a suggestion of meretriciousness in the tinted lips and the pretence of colour on the charming face.
The Hand in the Dark
Arthur J. Rees

British Dictionary definitions for meretriciousness

meretricious

adjective

superficially or garishly attractive

insinceremeretricious praise

archaic of, like, or relating to a prostitute

Derived Formsmeretriciously, adverbmeretriciousness, noun

Word 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.