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Garishness: meaning, definitions and examples

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garishness

 

[ˈɡɛːrɪʃnəs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

excessive and tasteless ornamentation

Garishness refers to the quality of being excessively bright, colorful, or showy in a way that lacks good taste. It is characterized by an overwhelming use of bold and clashing colors, extravagant decorations, or flamboyant designs. Garishness often evokes a sense of gaudiness or vulgarity.

Synonyms

flashiness, gaudiness, tackiness, vulgarity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
garishness

Use this word to describe something that is overly bright and showy, often in a way that lacks taste or sophistication.

  • The garishness of the neon signs made the street look tacky.
  • I find the garishness of her outfit quite overwhelming.
gaudiness

This term is best used to describe something showy and bright, but with poor taste, often looking cheap despite trying to look attractive. Slightly negative connotation.

  • The gaudiness of the decorations made the party look less elegant.
  • Her jewelry had a certain gaudiness that did not suit the formal event.
vulgarity

This word is for situations where something crosses the line from poor taste to being openly offensive, crude, or inappropriate. Strong negative connotation.

  • The vulgarity of his jokes made everyone uncomfortable.
  • There was a vulgarity in her manner that did not suit the company culture.
tackiness

Use this in a context where something looks cheap and low-quality, often with an implication of lacking good taste. Holds a clearly negative connotation.

  • The tackiness of the souvenirs was apparent to everyone.
  • He tried to impress her with an overly tacky gift.
flashiness

This word fits when talking about something that is meant to attract attention due to its bright or expensive appearance, often with a sense of superficiality.

  • His flashiness is obvious in the way he drives his sports car.
  • The flashiness of the event was designed to impress the guests.

Examples of usage

  • The garishness of the decorations overwhelmed the room, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
  • Her outfit was a perfect example of garishness, with its clashing colors and excessive embellishments.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'garish' likely comes from the Old English word 'gār' meaning 'spear,' hinting at sharpness or a striking appearance.
  • First recorded use of 'garish' in the 16th century, often to describe clothing or decorations that were overly bright.
  • The suffix '-ness' indicates a state or quality, thus transforming 'garish' into the concept of overly bright and loud aesthetics.

Art and Design

  • In art, garishness is often considered a design flaw where the combination of colors is so bright or clashing that it distracts from the work.
  • Many modern artists intentionally use garish colors to provoke emotions or challenge traditional aesthetic norms.
  • Fashion critics often point to garishness as a characteristic of designs that lack subtlety or sophistication.

Pop Culture

  • The 1970s disco era was famously associated with garish fashion, featuring loud colors and sparkling materials.
  • Certain characters in television shows or movies are depicted with garish style to emphasize their flamboyant personalities.
  • Social media influencers sometimes use garish aesthetics to stand out and attract more attention, especially in promotional content.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that bright, garish colors can evoke strong reactions; they can excite but also irritate the viewer.
  • Psychologically, exposure to overly bright environments can lead to feelings of discomfort or agitation for some individuals.
  • The use of garishness in marketing is a tactic to grab attention quickly, though it can risk being perceived as tacky.

Fashion

  • Garishness in fashion often leads to polarizing opinions; some embrace it as vibrant, while others see it as a lack of taste.
  • The 'maximalist' trend in recent years plays on the idea of incorporating garish elements to create bold, eye-catching styles.
  • Fashion critics often review runway shows for their use of garishness, debating whether it serves as an audacious statement or a misstep.

Translations

Translations of the word "garishness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 extravagância

🇮🇳 चमकीलापन

🇩🇪 Prunk

🇮🇩 kecerahan

🇺🇦 яскравість

🇵🇱 krzykliwość

🇯🇵 けばけばしさ

🇫🇷 éclat

🇪🇸 estridencia

🇹🇷 gösteriş

🇰🇷 화려함

🇸🇦 بهرجة

🇨🇿 křiklavost

🇸🇰 krikľavosť

🇨🇳 艳丽

🇸🇮 kričečnost

🇮🇸 skrautlegheit

🇰🇿 жарқылдау

🇬🇪 გაბრწყინება

🇦🇿 çılğınlıq

🇲🇽 estridencia

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,578, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.