tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish
also
: characterized by tack : adhesive
tackier; tackiest
1
Synonyms
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
Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2024
My husband says paper towels are only for the kitchen and look tacky in a powder room.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024
The formula itself feels luxurious, striking that just-right Goldilocks balance between too runny and too tacky.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
Stir 2/3 cup sour cream into the remaining gelatin mixture; spread over layers in dish and chill until firm but still tacky.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
The reason is many professionals find a lot of transitions tacky.
—PCMAG, 1 May 2024
Disney+’s Marvel Cinematic Universe series are too polished to be awful or tacky — just compare them to the threadbare comic-book dramas of the ’70s and ’80s — but they are too bound by the rules and needs of the larger megaproperty to take creative leaps.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024
Call them tacky, or repulsive, but buffets elicit a hopeful, almost juvenile feeling of possibility.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The palm coating is also textured for a better grip, and the nitrile is tacky enough to pick up individual screws.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Adjective
This blade has a nonslip H Grip handle; the ergonomic handle is designed to prevent slipping, and the handle material even turns tacky in wet conditions to help ensure a firm grip in all weather conditions.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2024
My husband says paper towels are only for the kitchen and look tacky in a powder room.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024
The formula itself feels luxurious, striking that just-right Goldilocks balance between too runny and too tacky.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
Stir 2/3 cup sour cream into the remaining gelatin mixture; spread over layers in dish and chill until firm but still tacky.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
The reason is many professionals find a lot of transitions tacky.
—PCMAG, 1 May 2024
Disney+’s Marvel Cinematic Universe series are too polished to be awful or tacky — just compare them to the threadbare comic-book dramas of the ’70s and ’80s — but they are too bound by the rules and needs of the larger megaproperty to take creative leaps.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024
Call them tacky, or repulsive, but buffets elicit a hopeful, almost juvenile feeling of possibility.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The palm coating is also textured for a better grip, and the nitrile is tacky enough to pick up individual screws.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tacky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tacky
Cite this Entry
“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tacky. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tacky
2 of 2 adjective
tackier; tackiest
1
2
: marked by lack of style or good taste
a tacky outfit
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