# tacky

/ˈtæki/ (US) · /tˈæki/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tacky
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

cheap, low quality, or showing bad taste. You use this to describe things that look a bit ugly or embarrassing because they are not elegant.

For teachers: showing a lack of style or good taste; cheaply made or gaudy. Often used to describe decorations, clothing, or behavior that is considered socially inferior or aesthetically unrefined.

## Examples

- The plastic gold frames look a bit tacky.
- She thought the bright neon signs and cheap souvenirs made the historic street look tacky.
- While some found the over-the-top wedding decorations charming, others dismissed the entire event as a tacky display of wealth without any real elegance.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'look', 'feel', or 'seem'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.