LookItUp

tacky

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈtæki/

tacky means: Looking cheap and badly made, or showing poor taste.

adjective

CHEAP LOOKINGB2

Looking cheap and badly made, or showing poor taste.

  • That necklace looks tacky.
  • The shop sold tacky plastic souvenirs.
  • Do you think these decorations are too tacky?

Similar words: cheap, tasteless, kitsch

Opposites: tasteful

Common phrases: tacky ornaments, tacky decorations, tacky souvenir

SLIGHTLY STICKYC1

Slightly sticky when you touch it, often because it is not completely dry.

  • The paint is still tacky.
  • Wait until the glue feels tacky.
  • The varnish remained tacky all night.

Similar words: sticky

Common phrases: tacky paint, tacky surface, still tacky

SHABBY APPEARANCEC2

Looking untidy or poorly dressed, with old or unattractive clothes.

  • He looked tacky in that worn coat.
  • She replaced her tacky clothes before the visit.
  • The old hat made his outfit look tacky.

Similar words: shabby, dowdy, scruffy

Opposites: smart

Common phrases: tacky clothes, tacky coat, look tacky

Questions about tacky

What does tacky mean?

Looking cheap and badly made, or showing poor taste.

What is tacky in other languages?

Türkçe: zevksiz · Español: hortera · Français: de mauvais goût · Deutsch: geschmacklos · Italiano: pacchiano · 日本語: 安っぽい

How do you pronounce tacky?

It is pronounced /ˈtæki/.

How do you use tacky in a sentence?

That necklace looks tacky. The shop sold tacky plastic souvenirs.

Learn tacky while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

tacky in other languages

More words