tackier; tackiest
: somewhat sticky to the touch
tacky varnish
also
: characterized by tack : adhesive
tackier; tackiest
1
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
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
However, don’t go too mass-market or literal, as this can feel a bit tacky.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Too big, too flashy, too red, too everything — a tacky pile of bombast in the vein of the Fontainebleau Hotel.
—Christopher Robbins, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026
Roan's look was criticized by some, who deemed it tacky, but cheered by fans of her fearlessness.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tacky
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Adjective
The bravura production and costume design are respectively by Suzie Davies and Jacqueline Durran, both correctly tipping the outrageous into the tacky.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
However, don’t go too mass-market or literal, as this can feel a bit tacky.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Too big, too flashy, too red, too everything — a tacky pile of bombast in the vein of the Fontainebleau Hotel.
—Christopher Robbins, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026
Roan's look was criticized by some, who deemed it tacky, but cheered by fans of her fearlessness.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tacky
Cite this Entry
“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tacky. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tacky
2 of 2 adjective
tackier; tackiest
1
2
: marked by lack of style or good taste
a tacky outfit
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