Dictionary
1gaudy
adjective gau·dy \ˈgȯ-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 \ˈgȯ-də-lē, ˈgä-\ adverb
— gaud·i·ness \ˈgȯ-dē-nəs, ˈgä-\ noun
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First Known Use of GAUDY
1582
Related to GAUDY
- Synonyms
- flamboyant, flaring, flashy, garish, glitzy, loud, noisy, ostentatious, razzle-dazzle, splashy, swank (or swanky)
- Antonyms
- conservative, quiet, understated, unflamboyant, unflashy
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
GAUDINESS Defined for Kids
gaudy
adjective \ˈgȯ-dē\
gaud·i·ergaud·i·est
Definition of GAUDY for Kids
: too bright and showy <gaudy jewelry>
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