tacky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈta-kē 

tackier; tackiest

: 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 tacky …

—Cyra McFadden

b

: shabby, seedy

… a tacky town whose citrus groves were blighted by smoke …

—Bryce Nelson

Synonyms of tacky

Adjective (1)

• adhesive
• sticky

Adjective (2)

• inappropriate
• cheesy
• unsuitable
• trashy
• tasteless
• incorrect
• unfashionable
• wrong
• dowdy
• inelegant
• cheap

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

Adjective

Changes in manure, often reported to be dry or tacky. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Critiquing a memoir seems tacky. —Brian Boone, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025

These types favor gleaming Roman columns, tacky gilding, and oversized everything, meant to imply domination, hierarchy, and regressive traditionalism. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025

Also carrying over is the same Dyneema upper, now reinforced with a knit collar and more structured heel, and the traction pattern rendered in Vibram’s tackier Mega Grip Elite rubber. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing tacky

• ticky-tacky

Rhymes for tacky

• bacchae
• jacky
• lackey
• wacky

Kids Definition

tacky

1 of 2 adjective

ˈtak-ē 

tackier; tackiest

: somewhat sticky to the touch

tacky varnish

tacky

2 of 2 adjective

tackier; tackiest

1

: shabby sense 2b, seedy

2

: marked by lack of style or good taste

a tacky outfit