tacky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈta-kē 

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 tacky

—Cyra McFadden

b

: shabby, seedy

a tacky town whose citrus groves were blighted by smoke

—Bryce Nelson

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• adherent
• adhesive
• clingy
• gluey
• glutinous
• gummy
• sticky
• tenacious
• viscid

Adjective (2)

• cheesy
• dowdy
• inelegant
• styleless
• tasteless
• ticky-tacky
• ticky-tack
• trashy
• unfashionable
• unstylish

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

Adjective

After that, the pump delivers a really nice, even mist that feels soothing on contact, dries down quickly, and offers a strong hold without feeling tacky or sticky on your skin. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025

Increase speed to medium; beat until dough is smooth and elastic, but still tacky to the touch, 8 to 10 minutes. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025

There’s a self-awareness to making such B-list talent the face of a tacky news broadcast in a dystopic vision of the future that feels endearing. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

Her glamorous and slightly tacky presence served to pour cold water on whatever emotional spiral the men were in the midst of, and that was a source of real comedy. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing tacky

• ticky-tacky

Rhymes for tacky

• bacchae
• jacky
• lackey
• wacky

Kids Definition

tacky

1 of 2 adjective

ˈtak-ē 

tackier; tackiest

: somewhat sticky to the touch

tacky varnish

tacky

2 of 2 adjective

tackier; tackiest

1

: shabby sense 2b, seedy

2

: marked by lack of style or good taste

a tacky outfit