Tawdry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈtȯ-drē/ taw·dry

Meaning & Definition of Tawdry

Tawdry (adjective)

  1. cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality
  2. morally sordid, base, or distasteful

Tawdry (noun)

  1. cheap showy finery

Tawdry (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by low quality and unbecoming appearance

    "We tolerate the neighbors' tawdry Christmas display during the holidays, but by January we're about sick of it."

    similar: brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy, meretricious, ostentatious, showy, splashy, swank, graceless, inelegant, lurid, tacky, tasteless, tinselly, vulgar, bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy (slang), cut-rate, el cheapo, execrable, gimcrack, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, low-rent, mediocre, miserable, poor, rotten, rubbishy, schlock, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, terrible, trashy, trumpery, wretched, seedy, shabby, counterfeit, fake, phony, sham, supercheap, ultracheap, indifferent, lackluster, second-class
    opposite: elegant, handsome, tasteful, handcrafted, polished, refined, excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch

Tawdry (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in frippery, foofaraw

    similar: foofaraw, frippery, gaudery, trumpery (archaic), array, bravery, caparison, finery, gaiety, glad rags, pretties, regalia, trim, tatters, garderobe, wardrobe, costume, ensemble, frock, garb, getup, guise, livery, outfit, apparel, attire, clobber (British slang), clothes, clothing, costumery, dress, duds, garments, gear, habiliment(s), habit (archaic), rags, raiment, rig, rigging, threads, toggery, togs, vestiary, vestments, vesture, wear, wearables, weeds, civvies, mufti, couture, prêt-à-porter, ready-to-wear, tailoring, activewear, loungewear, outerwear, playwear, sportswear, nightclothes, sleepwear, smallclothes, underclothes, underwear

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tawdry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tawdry:

Archaic: trumpery, habit
Slang: crappy
British slang: clobber
brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy, meretricious, ostentatious, showy, splashy, swank, graceless, inelegant, lurid, tacky, tasteless, tinselly, vulgar, bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, common, cut-rate, el cheapo, execrable, gimcrack, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, low-rent, mediocre, miserable, poor, rotten

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Tawdry

Words with the opposite meaning of Tawdry:

elegant, handsome, tasteful, handcrafted, polished, refined, excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch

Word Forms of Tawdry

Inflections: tawdrier, tawdriest

Derived words: tawdrily (adverb), tawdriness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Tawdry

tawdry lace a tie of lace for the neck, from St. Audrey (St. Etheldreda) †679 queen of Northumbria

First known use: 1655

Frequently Asked Questions about Tawdry

What does "Tawdry" mean?

"Tawdry" means cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tawdry"?

Other words for "Tawdry" include brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy and meretricious. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tawdry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tawdry"?

There are 125 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tawdry". Common alternatives include brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy, meretricious, ostentatious and showy.

What is the opposite of "Tawdry"?

Antonyms of "Tawdry" include elegant, handsome, tasteful, handcrafted, polished, refined, excellent and fine.

How do you use "Tawdry" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tawdry" in a sentence: "We tolerate the neighbors' tawdry Christmas display during the holidays, but by January we're about sick of it.".

Is "Tawdry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tawdry" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Tawdry"?

"Tawdry" is pronounced /ˈtȯ-drē/ and divided into syllables as taw·dry.

What is the origin of the word "Tawdry"?

"Tawdry" comes from tawdry lace a tie of lace for the neck, from St. Audrey (St. Etheldreda) †679 queen of Northumbria. First known use: 1655.