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)

• adherent
• adhesive
• clingy
• gluey
• glutinous
• gummy
• sticky
• tenacious
• viscid

Adjective (2)

• cheesy
• dowdy
• inelegant
• styleless
• tasteless
• ticky-tacky
• ticky-tack
• trashy
• unfashionable
• unstylish

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

Testers say this product feels and acts more like a balm that melts into skin, rather than a stiff or tacky sunscreen. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 2 July 2024

The grip is spongy and tacky, perfect for those especially sweaty days, and the large sweet spot gives you more confidence to hit power shots or short dinks. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2024

If running around the party telling guests how tacky Toya is wasn’t enough, Heavenly makes an announcement over the microphone during the toast, giving us a little bit of drama to hold us over until the reunion. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2024

Either way, users overwhelmingly report a smooth application without a tacky or greasy finish. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 2 July 2024

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

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