garishness

/ˈɡɛərɪʃnəs/
excessive brightness or vulgarity

The garishness of the neon signs made the street hard to look at.

The excessive brightness of the neon signs was overwhelming and unattractive.


formal

Excessive brightness, vividness, or crudeness in appearance that is often considered tasteless or vulgar.

The room was decorated with garish colors that clashed horribly.

The room's decor featured jarring, clashing colors that were unpleasant to the eye.

Her garish outfit drew disapproving glances from the audience.

Her overly bright and flashy clothing stood out in a way that was considered inappropriate.

Garishness implies a lack of subtlety or good taste, often associated with loud colors, patterns, or designs.

Collocations

garish colorscolors that are excessively bright or vividgarish lightinglighting that is harsh or overly brightgarish designdesign that is tasteless or overly flashy

Pro Tip

Avoiding garishness in design

Use a limited color palette and avoid overly bright or clashing colors to create a more refined and elegant appearance.

Gold Rule

When to use 'garishness'

Use 'garishness' when describing something that is excessively bright, vivid, or tasteless in appearance. It is not suitable for describing subtle or understated designs.

Word Origin

From the adjective 'garish' (meaning excessively bright or showy), which dates back to the 16th century. The origin is uncertain but may be related to Middle English 'garish' (eager or lively) or Old French 'garir' (to adorn). The suffix '-ness' turns the adjective into a noun indicating the state or quality of being.

Usage Notes

Garishness is often used to describe visual elements like colors, decorations, or lighting. It carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of taste or sophistication.

Word Breakdown

garish
excessively bright or showy
root
+
-ness
state or quality of
suffix
English Dictionary