Tacky

/ˈtæki/
adjective

Looking cheap and of low quality.

Their furniture was old and tacky.
Visual representation of "tacky" - Looking cheap and of low quality

Often appears as...

  • tacky decor
  • tacky clothes

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Slightly sticky and not completely dry or hard.

His paint was still tacky and not ready to dry.
Visual representation of "tacky" - Slightly sticky and not completely dry or hard

Often appears as...

  • tacky paint
  • tacky glue

Usage tips

Technical

adjective

Showing poor taste and quality.

Her jewelry was flashy and tacky.
Visual representation of "tacky" - Showing poor taste and quality

Often appears as...

  • tacky jewelry
  • tacky taste

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Looking cheap and of low quality.

Their furniture was old and tacky.
Visual representation of "tacky" - Looking cheap and of low quality

Often appears as...

  • tacky decor
  • tacky clothes

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Slightly sticky and not completely dry or hard.

His paint was still tacky and not ready to dry.
Visual representation of "tacky" - Slightly sticky and not completely dry or hard

Often appears as...

  • tacky paint
  • tacky glue

Usage tips

Technical

adjective

Showing poor taste and quality.

Her jewelry was flashy and tacky.
Visual representation of "tacky" - Showing poor taste and quality

Often appears as...

  • tacky jewelry
  • tacky taste

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "tacky"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Impression

Using 'tacky' often implies disapproval or distaste, particularly in fashion or decor.

Illustration for Negative Impression
I wouldn't wear that tie; it's too tacky for a job interview.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Formal Alternatives

For more formal or polite conversation, consider 'in poor taste' instead of 'tacky'.

Illustration for Formal Alternatives
Their wedding decorations were, regrettably, in poor taste.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Non-offensive Usage

You can use 'tacky' humorously or affectionately about items you recognize as overly decorative.

Illustration for Non-offensive Usage
I love your tacky holiday sweater!
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Impression

Using 'tacky' often implies disapproval or distaste, particularly in fashion or decor.

Illustration for Negative Impression
I wouldn't wear that tie; it's too tacky for a job interview.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Formal Alternatives

For more formal or polite conversation, consider 'in poor taste' instead of 'tacky'.

Illustration for Formal Alternatives
Their wedding decorations were, regrettably, in poor taste.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Non-offensive Usage

You can use 'tacky' humorously or affectionately about items you recognize as overly decorative.

Illustration for Non-offensive Usage
I love your tacky holiday sweater!
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Impression

Using 'tacky' often implies disapproval or distaste, particularly in fashion or decor.

Illustration for Negative Impression
I wouldn't wear that tie; it's too tacky for a job interview.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Formal Alternatives

For more formal or polite conversation, consider 'in poor taste' instead of 'tacky'.

Illustration for Formal Alternatives
Their wedding decorations were, regrettably, in poor taste.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Non-offensive Usage

You can use 'tacky' humorously or affectionately about items you recognize as overly decorative.

Illustration for Non-offensive Usage
I love your tacky holiday sweater!
Visual representation of the word "Tacky"

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Video examples

Steven Pinker: Human...

which was considered bourgeois or tacky. And here's just one example. I mean, this is perhaps a representative example of the visual depiction of the female form in the 15th century; here is a representative example

Video examples

Taboo? Scarification PIPE...

and the abdomen to signify adulthood here in the village of tacky sare nada mangu is preparing to leave his childhood behind soon slices in the skin of his stomach will officially initiate

Video examples

A Sticky Gecko PIPE Space...

hold this jungle nymph secretes a thin film of fluid from a gland which makes a tacky bond between its foot and the glass wall

Video examples

Steven Pinker: Human...

which was considered bourgeois or tacky. And here's just one example. I mean, this is perhaps a representative example of the visual depiction of the female form in the 15th century; here is a representative example

Video examples

Taboo? Scarification PIPE...

and the abdomen to signify adulthood here in the village of tacky sare nada mangu is preparing to leave his childhood behind soon slices in the skin of his stomach will officially initiate

Video examples

A Sticky Gecko PIPE Space...

hold this jungle nymph secretes a thin film of fluid from a gland which makes a tacky bond between its foot and the glass wall

Example 1 of 3

Quote examples

Colleen Ballinger

American Comedian

Miranda is extremely tacky. I personally want to edit my videos well, but I have to keep Miranda's character in mind, so there are bad angles, flashy cuts, and sparkles everywhere.
Portrait of Colleen Ballinger

Quote examples

Farah Khan

Indian Director

I make aesthetic movies which are grand and with some of the biggest stars. It's not fair to run them down. I don't make tacky films.
Portrait of Farah Khan

Quote examples

Gilbert Baker

American Artist

A flag translates into everything, from tacky souvenirs to the names of organizations and the way that flags function.
Portrait of Gilbert Baker

Quote examples

Jessie J

English Musician

My style is ghetto chic. I love tacky jewelry, mega heels, high-waisted shorts, catsuits.
Portrait of Jessie J

Quote examples

Jennifer Lopez

American Musician

I would never speak about specifics in my own relationships because I think it's tacky.
Portrait of Jennifer Lopez

Quote examples

Sasha Grey

American Actress

I'm not 18 anymore, so I'm not into starting unnecessary beefs. It's tacky.
Portrait of Sasha Grey

Quote examples

Big Sean

American Musician

There's definitely a thin line between being tasteful and tacky.
Portrait of Big Sean

Quote examples

Thom Filicia

American Designer

Being dull and boring is far more tragic than being tacky.
Portrait of Thom Filicia

Quote examples

Claire Denis

French Director

I'm not a tacky person, I think.
Portrait of Claire Denis

Quote examples

Izabella Scorupco

Polish Actress

Sexual underwear is tacky.
Portrait of Izabella Scorupco

Quote examples

Colleen Ballinger

American Comedian

Miranda is extremely tacky. I personally want to edit my videos well, but I have to keep Miranda's character in mind, so there are bad angles, flashy cuts, and sparkles everywhere.
Portrait of Colleen Ballinger

Quote examples

Farah Khan

Indian Director

I make aesthetic movies which are grand and with some of the biggest stars. It's not fair to run them down. I don't make tacky films.
Portrait of Farah Khan

Quote examples

Gilbert Baker

American Artist

A flag translates into everything, from tacky souvenirs to the names of organizations and the way that flags function.
Portrait of Gilbert Baker

Quote examples

Jessie J

English Musician

My style is ghetto chic. I love tacky jewelry, mega heels, high-waisted shorts, catsuits.
Portrait of Jessie J

Quote examples

Jennifer Lopez

American Musician

I would never speak about specifics in my own relationships because I think it's tacky.
Portrait of Jennifer Lopez

Quote examples

Sasha Grey

American Actress

I'm not 18 anymore, so I'm not into starting unnecessary beefs. It's tacky.
Portrait of Sasha Grey

Quote examples

Big Sean

American Musician

There's definitely a thin line between being tasteful and tacky.
Portrait of Big Sean

Quote examples

Thom Filicia

American Designer

Being dull and boring is far more tragic than being tacky.
Portrait of Thom Filicia

Quote examples

Claire Denis

French Director

I'm not a tacky person, I think.
Portrait of Claire Denis

Quote examples

Izabella Scorupco

Polish Actress

Sexual underwear is tacky.
Portrait of Izabella Scorupco
Example 1 of 10
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