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

Alexis Couture has the idea to throw a tacky bridesmaid dress party, and that is perhaps the first good and original theme that a Housewife has ever thought up on this show. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024

Nothing says your Southern Mama failed in raising you like a bunch of tacky nonsense coming out of your mouth, especially in front of the preacher's wife. —Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024

The jump scares are predictable and tacky, and the final confrontation drags on forever. —Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 26 July 2024

However, decorating your house for the occasion can quickly become tacky, as pumpkins, fake spiderwebs, and witch goblets can be kitschy and overdone. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 9 Oct. 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