tacky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

tackier; tackiest
Synonyms of tackynext
: 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 smoke …Bryce 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
Her deeply tacky ball is the event of the episode, and her arrival has quite the ripple effect throughout the Ton. Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026 Cancun feels as normal and delightfully tacky as ever, even though 10,000 additional National Guard troops were deployed nationwide, some of them joining the thousands already here on the Caribbean coast. Matt Rivers, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026 Instead of unsuccessfully trying to wipe off the dust buildup that has turned sticky with a damp cloth and only smearing it around, Goo Gone breaks down the tacky oils for complete and effortless removal. Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026 During their first fashion reign in the early 2000s, flip-flop sandals channeled the intentionally tacky aesthetic the era is known for. Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tacky. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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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