Etymology dictionary. 2014.
tacky — It is a little surprising that this currently fashionable term meaning ‘tawdry, in poor taste’ (describing such things as decor, jewellery, nightclubs, souvenirs, wallpaper, and taste in general) has nothing to do with the word meaning ‘slightly… … Modern English usage
tacky — Ⅰ. tacky [1] ► ADJECTIVE (tackier, tackiest) ▪ (of glue, paint, etc.) slightly sticky because not fully dry. DERIVATIVES tackiness noun. Ⅱ. tacky [2] ► … English terms dictionary
tacky — tacky1 [tak′ē] adj. tackier, tackiest [ TACK (n. 2c) + Y2] sticky: said as of varnish before it is fully dry tackiness n. ☆ tacky2 [tak′ē ] adj. tackier, tackiest … English World dictionary
Tacky — Tack y, a. [Cf. {Techy}, {Tack} a spot.] Sticky; adhesive; raw; said of paint, varnish, etc., when not well dried. [U. S.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tacky — Tack y, a. [Etymol. uncert.] 1. Dowdy, shabby, or neglected in appearance; unkempt. [Local, U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.] 2. In poor taste; appearing cheap; gaudy; unstylish. Broadly used to describe objects whose style is disapproved of by the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tacky — Tack y, n. [Written also {tackey}.] An ill conditioned, ill fed, or neglected horse; also, a person in a like condition. [Southern U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tacky — [adj] cheap, tasteless broken down, crude, dilapidated, dingy, dowdy, down atheel*, faded, frumpy*, gaudy, inelegant, mangy*, messy, nasty*, outmoded, out ofdate, poky*, ratty, run down, seedy, shabby, shoddy, sleazy*, sloppy*, slovenly, stodgy,… … New thesaurus
tacky — I. adjective (tackier; est) Etymology: 2tack Date: 1788 somewhat sticky to the touch < tacky varnish >; also characterized by tack ; adhesive II. adjective ( … New Collegiate Dictionary
tacky — tack|y [ˈtæki] adj [Sense: 1 2; Date: 1800 1900; Origin: tacky horse in poor condition (1800 1900).] [Sense: 3; Date: 1700 1800; Origin: TACK1] 1.) if something is tacky, it looks cheap or badly made, and shows poor taste ▪ tacky ornaments 2.)… … Dictionary of contemporary English
tacky — [[t]tæ̱ki[/t]] tackier, tackiest 1) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n (disapproval) If you describe something as tacky, you dislike it because it is cheap and badly made or vulgar. [INFORMAL] ...a woman in a fake leopard skin coat and tacky red sunglasses … English dictionary
tacky — 1. mod. cheap; crude. □ That was a tacky thing to do to her. □ That was so tacky! □ This is sort of a tacky gift for a wedding. 2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. □ To … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
