Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

tacky

adjective \ ˈta-kē \

Definition of tacky

tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
  • tacky varnish
; also : characterized by tack : adhesive

Origin and Etymology of tacky

2tack

2

tacky

adjective

Definition of tacky

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

Origin and Etymology of tacky

tacky a low-class person

Learn More about tacky

  1. See words that rhyme with tacky Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tacky Spanish Central: Translation of tacky Nglish: Translation of tacky for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tacky for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tacky? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cerulean

play

resembling the blue of the sky

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

tacky

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games