gaudy

1 of 2

adjective

gau·​dy ˈgȯ-dē How to pronounce gaudy (audio)
ˈgä-
gaudier; gaudiest
1
: ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented
gaudy costumes
2
: marked by extravagance or sometimes tasteless showiness : outlandish
gaudy lies
gaudy claims
also : exceptional
a gaudy batting average
gaudily adverb
gaudiness noun

gaudy

2 of 2

noun

plural gaudies
: a feast or entertainment especially in the form of an annual college dinner at a British university
Choose the Right Synonym for gaudy

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 gaudy in a Sentence

Adjective The showgirls wore gaudy costumes. They bought the house for a gaudy sum.
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
The gaudy designs of fan-favorite heroes were toned down, their costumes shaded in muted tones. Jack King, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024 Textures don’t have to be too gaudy but should add an interesting aspect to your look. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 30 Sep. 2024 When Cody tried to put over the gaudy Crown Jewel Championship, fans did not seem all that impressed with it. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Plenty of people would call it gaudy and outré, an immature demand for attention or a tasteless attempt to secure superficial status. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gaudy 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

gaud + -y entry 1

Noun

probably from Latin gaudium joy — more at joy

First Known Use

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gaudy was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near gaudy

Cite this Entry

“Gaudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaudy. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

gaudy

adjective
ˈgȯd-ē,
ˈgäd-
gaudier; gaudiest
: overly or tastelessly ornamented
gaudily
ˈgȯd-ᵊl-ē
ˈgäd-
adverb
gaudiness
-ēnəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on gaudy

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