tacky
1 of 2adjective (1)
ˈta-kē 
tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish
also : characterized by tack : adhesive
tacky
2 of 2adjective (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
Cyra McFadden b
: shabby, seedy
a tacky town whose citrus groves were blighted by smoke Bryce Nelson
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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
tacky 1 of 2
adjective (1)
1
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste it was tacky to wear sneakers to the wedding tacky plastic flowers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inappropriate
- cheesy
- trashy
- tasteless
- dowdy
- unsuitable
- unfashionable
- cheap
- inelegant
- incorrect
- wrong
- ticky-tacky
- unstylish
- loud
- ticky-tack
- styleless
- unseemly
- grotesque
- tawdry
- kitschy
- gaudy
- garish
- unbecoming
- vulgar
- kitsch
- outmoded
- coarse
- glitzy
- passé
- crude
- showy
- shoddy
- graceless
- ostentatious
- flashy
- sleazy
- overdone
- junky
- common
- unrefined
- out-of-date
- inferior
- lousy
- splashy
- low-grade
- second-rate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- classy
- tasteful
- elegant
- appropriate
- posh
- sophisticated
- fine
- fashionable
- chic
- stylish
- classic
- exquisite
- suitable
- smart
- proper
- fitting
- right
- correct
- simple
- becoming
- seemly
- ritzy
- neat
- conservative
- modern
- quiet
- understated
- handsome
- genteel
- restrained
- contemporary
- refined
- swanky
- in
- happening
- modish
- swank
- up-to-date
- à la mode
- a la mode
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery Synonyms & Similar Words
- dilapidated
- neglected
- shabby
- tatty
- dumpy
- miserable
- sleazy
- scruffy
- abandoned
- desolate
- seedy
- tired
- grungy
- scrubby
- tattered
- mangy
- ratty
- ruined
- threadbare
- ragged
- timeworn
- down-at-heel
- tumbledown
- tatterdemalion
- broken
- mean
- beat-up
- run-down
- down-at-the-heels
- down-at-the-heel
- down-at-heels
- dog-eared
- dingy
- damaged
- unkept
- decrepit
- gone to seed
- bombed-out
- moth-eaten
- godforsaken
- deteriorated
- forlorn
- wrecked
- deteriorating
- decaying
- ramshackle
- bedraggled
- rickety
- destroyed
- worn-out
- hurt
- rattletrap
- broken-down
- rackety
- injured
- impaired
- harmed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- new
- fresh
- maintained
- spiffy
- brand-new
- reconstructed
- patched
- spruce
- smart
- rebuilt
- mended
- kept-up
- cared-for
tacky
2 of 2adjective (2)
as in adhesive
tending to adhere to objects upon contact don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky Synonyms & Similar Words
- adhesive
- sticky
- gluey
- gummy
- clingy
- glutinous
- adherent
- syrupy
- viscous
- gooey
- tenacious
- gelatinous
- viscid
- ropey
- ropy
- pitchy
- tarry
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonadhesive
- nonviscous