Definitions

tacky

[tak-ee] / ˈtæk i /

ADJECTIVE

cheap, tasteless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dingy faded gaudy messy run down seedy shabby sleazy threadbare vulgar

WEAK

broken-down crude dilapidated dowdy down-at-heel frumpy inelegant mangy nasty out-of-date outmoded poky ratty shoddy sloppy slovenly stodgy unbecoming unkempt unstylish unsuitable untidy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

nice refined respectable

WEAK

classy expensive tasteful

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.

The 22-year-old from Fife accepts that sometimes black and white shoots can feel "pretentious and tacky", but from watching the trailer, Spider-Noir feels different.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Displays of it, particularly in architecture or public art, are often perceived as tacky, kitschy or, heaven forbid, nouveau riche.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"The wicket got really good again for batting, it was slightly tacky earlier when we bowled," said Markram.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The bravura production and costume design are respectively by Suzie Davies and Jacqueline Durran, both correctly tipping the outrageous into the tacky.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

“Isn’t that wild? It’s better than all of that tacky crepe paper. I did buy some crepe paper, but nothing that I could do with it satisfied me.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Vocabulary lists containing tacky

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