kitsch

noun

1
: something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
2
: a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition
teetering on the brink of kitschRon Miller
kitschy adjective

Did you know?

Have you ever browsed through a flea market or thrift shop? If so, chances are you’re well-acquainted with kitsch, the various bits and bobs of popular culture—fuzzy dice, plastic flamingos, cartoon-themed plastic lunchboxes, etc.—that enjoy widespread popularity but don’t hold much cultural esteem. Or maybe you’re a fan of (what some might call) cheesy movies—action movies and rom-coms that score big at the box office but are panned by critics—kitsch often applies to them, too, as well as to “lowbrow” art of all kinds. English users borrowed kitsch in the early 20th century from German; according to scholars the word was popularized by Munich painters and art dealers in the 1860s and 1870s who used it to refer to popular and cheap artwork. The word’s earlier origins are found in the German verb kitschen, meaning “to slap something (such as a work of art) together” as well as “to scrape up mud from the street.” Despite these muddy origins and the disapproving tone with which kitsch is often deployed, kitsch is not quite the “dirty” word it once was—kitsch today is as likely to be celebrated as it is to be derided.

Examples of kitsch in a Sentence

The restaurant is decorated with 1950s furniture and kitsch from old TV shows.
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.
Life, death, crime, kitsch, nostalgia, immigrant aspirations and witty design — all of these elements converge in the world of motels, which didn’t exist before 1925. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 But Isabelle’s themes are quite the opposite, always embracing her stylish side versus kitsch. Ginger Perra, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025 Russell was taken with the idea of the Nazis deploying beautiful items, bordering on kitsch, while pursuing their murderous campaign against the Jews. Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Expect a seamless blend of Americana kitsch and rhinestone cowboy as Beyoncé and her stylish fans bring her iconic style to the stage. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kitsch

Word History

Etymology

German

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kitsch was in 1921

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Cite this Entry

“Kitsch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kitsch. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on kitsch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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