Dictionary

1gaudy

adjective gau·dy \ˈg-dē, ˈgä-\

: too bright and heavily decorated

: very large or impressive

gaud·i·ergaud·i·est

Full Definition of GAUDY

1
:  ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented
2
:  marked by extravagance or sometimes tasteless showiness :  outlandish <gaudy lies> <gaudy claims>; also :  exceptional <a gaudy batting average>
gaud·i·ly \ˈg-də-lē, ˈgä-\ adverb
gaud·i·ness \ˈg-dē-nəs, ˈgä-\ noun
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First Known Use of GAUDY

1582

Synonym Discussion of GAUDY

gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, meretricious mean vulgarly or cheaply showy. gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation <circus performers in gaudy costumes>. tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy <tawdry saloons>. garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright <garish neon signs>. flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar <a flashy nightclub act>. meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise <a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars>.

Rhymes with GAUDY

2gaudy

noun
plural gaudies

Definition of GAUDY

:  a feast or entertainment especially in the form of an annual college dinner at a British university

Origin of GAUDY

probably from Latin gaudium joy — more at joy
First Known Use: 1651

Rhymes with GAUDY

GAUDINESS Defined for Kids

gaudy

adjective \ˈg-dē\
gaud·i·ergaud·i·est

Definition of GAUDY for Kids

:  too bright and showy <gaudy jewelry>

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