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

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

The follow-up finds Odenkirk’s character, Hutch Mansell, and his wife and kids on vacation at a tacky resort town, hoping to spend some quality time together. —Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025

Trump’s tacky rococo gold adornments are growing exponentially. —Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

In Clueless, Harriet has become a tacky high-school newcomer, Tai (Brittany Murphy), frightened by rough-housing boys at the mall. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025

Even if your lime green leopard print skinnies and Obey tees are buried deep in the depths of your closet, stepping back through that threshold might uncover more than your old, tacky but favorite outfits. —Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 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