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tackiness
/ˈtæk.i.nəs/
lack of taste or style
The gold lamé jacket was so tacky that it became a fashion statement.
The jacket was so poorly styled that it stood out in a deliberately attention-grabbing way.
informal
lack of good taste or style; gaudiness
Her outfit was a perfect example of tackiness, with clashing neon colors and excessive rhinestones.
The outfit was so poorly chosen that it offended good taste.
The wedding decorations had a tacky charm, mixing glitter with plastic flowers.
The decorations were overly flashy and lacked sophistication.
Often describes visual or aesthetic choices that are garish, cheap-looking, or overly flashy.
Collocations
tacky decorpoorly styled or gaudy decorationstacky outfitan outfit that lacks tastetacky designa design that appears cheap or poorly made
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Misuse
Do not confuse 'tacky' with 'tactful' (polite or considerate). 'Tacky' always implies poor taste, while 'tactful' relates to sensitivity in social situations.
Gold Rule
When to Use 'Tacky'
Use 'tacky' to describe something that is gaudy, flashy, or poorly styled in a way that offends good taste. It is often used humorously or critically.
Word Origin
From 'tacky' (adjective, meaning 'sticky' or 'cheap-looking') + '-ness' (suffix forming nouns of state or quality). The sense of 'cheap-looking' emerged in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the idea of something being 'sticky' to the touch (i.e., cheap materials that feel unpleasant).
Usage Notes
Tackiness is subjective and culturally dependent. What one person finds tacky, another might find charming or bold. It often implies a lack of subtlety or restraint in design or style.
Word Breakdown
tacky
cheap-looking or gaudy
root-ness
suffix forming a noun indicating state or quality
suffixEnglish Dictionary