tacky

[ tak-ee ]

/ ˈtæk i /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR tacky ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, tack·i·er, tack·i·est.

sticky to the touch; adhesive.

Words nearby tacky

tackie, tackies, tackle, tackling, tacksman, tacky, tacloban, tacmahack, tacna-arica, tacnode, taco

Origin of tacky

First recorded in 1780–90; tack¹ + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM tacky

tack·i·ness, noun

Definition for tacky (2 of 2)

tacky²

[ tak-ee ]

/ ˈtæk i /

adjective, tack·i·er, tack·i·est.

not tasteful or fashionable; dowdy.

shabby in appearance; shoddy: a tacky, jerry-built housing development.

crass; cheaply vulgar; tasteless; crude.

gaudy; flashy; showy.

Origin of tacky

1880–85, Americanism; apparently identical with earlier tack(e)y small horse, pony, poor farmer; of obscure origin

OTHER WORDS FROM tacky

tack·i·ness, noun

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

Examples from the Web for tacky

“All of the ideas were so awful and tacky so I said no,” she says.
Diane von Furstenberg: How I Learned to Love My Wrap Dress|Lizzie Crocker|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of the sweaters he thought were true works of art, and some he thought were just tacky or funny.
A Full-Length Bill Cosby Portrait: From Track Star to Ugly Sweaters|Scott Porch|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the Met, jewels by JAR may be tacky junk, but they tell us about ourselves.
Liberace Would Have Balked|Blake Gopnik|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was timeless, that wacky, tacky character she created; the cigarette holder was genius, paradoxically regal.
Roseanne Barr Hails the Comedic Genius of Phyllis Diller|Roseanne Barr|August 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Yes, the tabloids can be tacky, sensationalist, intentionally misleading, and ethically suspect.
What You Can Learn From John Edwards and Rielle Hunter|Michelle Cottle|June 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There is sufficient evidence to warrant the injunction that tacky rubber should be excluded from contact with sound rubber.
The Preparation of Plantation Rubber|Sidney Morgan
A vellum binding which is “tacky” may be rubbed over with powdered soapstone after cleaning.
Book Repair and Restoration|Mitchell Buck
This effect is further magnified if the “tacky” piece of rubber is packed in close contact with previously unaffected rubber.
The Preparation of Plantation Rubber|Sidney Morgan
Madison, my first town, showed me that my clothes were homemade and tacky.
The Log-Cabin Lady, An Anonymous Autobiography|Unknown
People were sorrier than ever for Jim and for his aunt and for the tacky, pretty little Hardin girl.
Back Home|Irvin S. Cobb

British Dictionary definitions for tacky (1 of 2)

tacky¹

tackey

/ (ˈtækɪ) /

adjective tackier or tackiest

slightly sticky or adhesivethe varnish was still tacky

Derived forms of tacky

tackily, adverbtackiness, noun

Word Origin for tacky

C18: from tack 1 (in the sense: stickiness)

British Dictionary definitions for tacky (2 of 2)

tacky²

/ (ˈtækɪ) /

adjective tackier or tackiest informal

shabby or shoddy

ostentatious and vulgar

US (of a person) dowdy; seedy

Derived forms of tacky

tackiness, noun

Word Origin for tacky

C19: from dialect tacky an inferior horse, of unknown origin

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

tacky

adjective, tack·i·er, tack·i·est.

Content related to tacky

Words related to tacky

Words nearby tacky

Origin of tacky

OTHER WORDS FROM tacky

Definition for tacky (2 of 2)

adjective, tack·i·er, tack·i·est.

Origin of tacky

OTHER WORDS FROM tacky

Examples from the Web for tacky

British Dictionary definitions for tacky (1 of 2)

tackey

adjective tackier or tackiest

Derived forms of tacky

Word Origin for tacky

British Dictionary definitions for tacky (2 of 2)

adjective tackier or tackiest informal

Derived forms of tacky

Word Origin for tacky