tacky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

tackier; tackiest
Synonyms of tackynext
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish
also : characterized by tack : adhesive

tacky

2 of 2

adjective (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 tackyCyra McFadden
b
: shabby, seedy
… a tacky town whose citrus groves were blighted by smoke …Bryce Nelson

Examples of tacky in a Sentence

Adjective (1) don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky Adjective (2) it was tacky to wear sneakers to the wedding tacky plastic flowers a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Colored Pebbles and Artificial Finishes A backyard can start to look tacky when surfaces and finishes look overly synthetic or flat. Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026 The mochi itself is soft and plush (never stale or tacky), and the ice cream is lusciously dense and creamy. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 June 2026 White The top tacky countertop color is a surprising one, because it's often viewed as a safe neutral choice. The Spruce, 30 June 2026 Each is a chewy, dark-brown puck, slightly tacky to the touch. Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tacky

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tacky was in 1788

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tacky. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

tacky

1 of 2 adjective
tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish

tacky

2 of 2 adjective
tackier; tackiest
1
2
: marked by lack of style or good taste
a tacky outfit

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