Definitions

gaudy

[gaw-dee] / ˈgɔ di /

ADJECTIVE

bright and vulgar

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brilliant flashy garish jazzy ostentatious showy snazzy splashy

STRONG

chichi crude gay gross pizazz screaming tinsel

WEAK

blatant brazen catchpenny chintzy coarse flaunting florid froufrou glaring gussied up kitschy loud meretricious obtrusive pretentious putting on the ritz raffish ritzy splendiferous tasteless tawdry

Antonyms

STRONGEST

modest normal plain simple tasteful

WEAK

calm drab dull refined sophisticated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He probably does think slapping his name on a gaudy structure will be enough to overcome the historical record of his failures.

From Salon • May 20, 2026

Investors are suddenly very nervous about the gaudy sums tech giants are spending on AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Four years after Lincoln Riley arrived at USC amid gaudy promises to return the football program to national prominence, well, two words.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025

New casinos sprang up, alongside gaudy, luxury hotels and apartment blocks.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

The show was gaudy with colored lights in the evening.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Vocabulary lists containing gaudy

List 6

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Fast Food Nation

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!