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Garish Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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garish

[หˆษกษ›หrษชสƒ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

bright colors

Excessively bright and showy, typically so as to be tasteless.

Synonyms

flashy, gaudy, loud, tacky, vulgar.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
garish

This word is used to describe something that is excessively bright or showy in a way that is not tasteful. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • The neon signs in the city were so garish that they hurt my eyes
loud

This word is used to describe colors or styles that are overly bright and meant to attract attention. It often implies tastelessness.

  • His loud jacket made him stand out in the crowd, but not in a good way
flashy

This word is used to describe something that is meant to attract attention with its bright and showy appearance. It can be either positive or negative depending on the context.

  • She wore a flashy dress to the party, hoping to get noticed
gaudy

This word describes something that is extravagantly bright or showy, typically in a way that shows poor taste. It generally has a negative connotation.

  • The room was decorated in a gaudy mix of colors that clashed horribly
tacky

This word describes something that is cheap-looking, bad in taste, or inappropriately showy. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The souvenirs from the gift shop were incredibly tacky
vulgar

This word is used to describe something that is lacking sophistication or good taste, often in a way that is offensive. It carries a very strong negative connotation.

  • The artist's latest work was criticized as vulgar and tasteless

Examples of usage

  • The garish neon lights of the city were blinding.
  • Her outfit was a garish combination of clashing colors.
  • The garish decorations at the party hurt my eyes.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Fashion

  • Garish fashion often appears during certain festive seasons where bright colors dominate, like Halloween or Carnival.
  • Some designers intentionally use garish colors to make bold statements, challenging traditional aesthetics.
  • The term is commonly used in fashion critiques to label outfits that are seen as overly flashy and lacking in sophistication.

Art

  • Expressionism, a 20th-century art movement, often embraced garish colors to convey intense emotion.
  • Pop art frequently uses garish colors to make comments on consumer culture, attracting attention through visual overload.
  • Certain modern street art utilizes garish colors to stand out against urban grays, making a statement about societal issues.

Psychology

  • Bright colors can evoke strong emotional responses, which is why garish designs can be overwhelming or even off-putting.
  • Studies suggest that too much brightness in an environment can lead to stress or discomfort for some individuals.
  • In marketing, garish colors are sometimes used to catch attention quickly, capitalizing on the brain's response to vivid stimulation.

Film and Media

  • Garish costumes are often used in comedic films to emphasize outlandish characters, enhancing humor through visual appearance.
  • Certain movie genres, like horror or fantasy, may utilize garish color schemes to create unsettling or surreal atmospheres.
  • Animated characters are often designed with garish colors to ensure they are visually distinct and memorable to audiences.

Origin of 'garish'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'garish' comes from Middle English, with roots possibly tracing back to Old English, meaning 'to adorn or decorate'.
  • In the 15th century, 'garish' was associated with shining or glowing, indicating something overly bright.
  • By the 16th century, the meaning evolved to describe things that are excessively bright, making it more of a negative connotation.

The word 'garish' originated from the Middle English word 'garisshen', meaning to embellish or decorate. Over time, it evolved to describe something excessively bright or showy, often in a tasteless manner. The use of garish colors or decorations can be traced back to the late 16th century, where it was associated with extravagant and ostentatious displays.

See also: garishly, garishness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,122, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.