tacky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish
also : characterized by tack : adhesive

tacky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

tackier; tackiest
1
: not having or exhibiting good taste: such as
a
: marked by cheap showiness : gaudy
a tacky publicity stunt
a tacky outfit
b
: marked by lack of style : dowdy
2
a
: characterized by lack of good breeding
couldn't run around downtown … in a bikini, which was tackyCyra McFadden
b
: shabby, seedy
a tacky town whose citrus groves were blighted by smokeBryce Nelson

Examples of tacky in a Sentence

Adjective (1) don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky Adjective (2) it was tacky to wear sneakers to the wedding tacky plastic flowers a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Giving cash doesn’t have to be awkward Despite popular convention that cash presents are gauche, tacky, or uninspired, Post says the annals of etiquette wisdom permit monetary gifts. Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024 For a presidential candidate, this is unprecedented, tacky, and yet very American. Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Alexis Couture has the idea to throw a tacky bridesmaid dress party, and that is perhaps the first good and original theme that a Housewife has ever thought up on this show. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024 Nothing says your Southern Mama failed in raising you like a bunch of tacky nonsense coming out of your mouth, especially in front of the preacher's wife. Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tacky 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

tack entry 2

Adjective (2)

tacky a low-class person

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tacky was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near tacky

Cite this Entry

“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tacky. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tacky

1 of 2 adjective
tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish

tacky

2 of 2 adjective
tackier; tackiest
1
2
: marked by lack of style or good taste
a tacky outfit

More from Merriam-Webster on tacky

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