flashy

adjective

ˈfla-shē 

flashier; flashiest

1

: momentarily dazzling

2

a

: superficially attractive or impressive

… moving beyond the glitz and pizzazz of the flashy technology to teach true literacy …

—Barbara Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne Flannigan

b

: ostentatious or showy often beyond the bounds of good taste

driving around in flashy cars

especially : marked by gaudy brightness

flashy colors

3

chiefly dialectal : lacking in substance or flavor : insipid

flashily

ˈfla-shə-lē 

adverb

flashiness

ˈfla-shē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of flashy

• stylish
• snazzy
• fashionable
• splashy
• neat
• jazzy
• chic
• loud
• cool
• fresh
• custom
• designer

Choose the Right Synonym for flashy

gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, meretricious mean vulgarly or cheaply showy.

gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

Examples of flashy in a Sentence

rich young men who drive flashy cars

I bought the CD primarily for its flashy cover design.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet China’s strength in robotics goes beyond flashy spectacles. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2025

This flashy new waterfront destination will include over 75,000 square feet of high-end retail, fine dining, and cultural venues, meaning yachters will have plenty of things to see, do, and buy. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025

Gap Leopard Brown Modern Turtleneck Bold, flashy leopard print is an Italian style marker seen on everyone from Sofia Loren to Kim Kardashian in Dolce & Gabbana. —Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025

For Martin, Williams and Stewart-Cousins, a key to this effort will likely be their abilities to convince donors that their dollars are better spent down the ticket than on flashy federal candidates attempting to make a big splash. —Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for flashy

• ashy
• trashy

Kids Definition

flashy

adjective

ˈflash-ē 

flashier; flashiest

: gaudy

flashily

ˈflash-ə-lē 

adverb

flashiness

ˈflash-ē-nəs 

noun