Gaudily: meaning, definitions and examples

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gaudily

[ˈɡɔːdɪli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in fashion

In a flashy, showy manner, typically with bright colors or excessive ornamentation.

Synonyms

flashily, loudly, ostentatiously.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gaudily	Used when describing something that is overly bright and showy in a way that lacks good taste. Typically carries a negative connotation. She decorated her room gaudily, with bright pink walls and glitter everywhere. The actor arrived at the event gaudily dressed in a sparkling gold suit.
flashily	Used when describing something that is bright, eye-catching, and meant to attract attention, often in a manner that can be considered tasteless or too bold. He bought a flashy sports car to show off his wealth. She wore a flashy outfit to the party, turning heads wherever she went.
ostentatiously	Used when describing actions or things that are meant to impress others by showing off wealth, knowledge, or other qualities. Often has a negative connotation as it implies a lack of subtlety. They lived ostentatiously, with a mansion and several luxury cars. She ostentatiously displayed her designer handbag during the meeting.
loudly	Used when something is done in a manner that is not just visually striking but also intended to be noticed and heard, can be positive or negative. He loudly proclaimed his opinions, making sure everyone heard him. The band played loudly all night, much to the annoyance of the neighbors.

Examples of usage

She dressed gaudily in a bright pink dress with sequins.
The house was decorated gaudily with gold accents and velvet furniture.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

in taste

In a tastelessly ornate or extravagant manner.

Synonyms

garishly, tastelessly, vulgarly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gaudily	Used to describe something that is showy in a bright and perhaps tacky way. It is often related to clothing, decorations, or behavior that is overly extravagant or flamboyant. She decorated her room gaudily with bright neon colors. He dressed gaudily, with a lot of flashy jewelry and shiny fabrics.
tastelessly	Often used in a critical context to describe something done without aesthetic or social consideration, lacking proper refinement or subtlety. The room was tastelessly decorated with mismatched furniture and gaudy colors. His joke was tastelessly inappropriate for the dinner party.
garishly	Describes something that is excessively bright and flashy, usually in a way that is considered unpleasant or offensive to the eyes. The walls were painted in garishly bright oranges and greens. She wore a garishly patterned shirt that clashed with everything else in her wardrobe.
vulgarly	Implicates a crass or crude manner, often offensive or low-class, and lacking sophistication or good taste. This can relate to both behavior and appearance. She dressed vulgarly, with way too much makeup and revealing clothing. He spoke vulgarly, using coarse language that made everyone uncomfortable.

Examples of usage

The restaurant was decorated gaudily with mismatched furniture and garish artwork.
She sang gaudily, embellishing every note with unnecessary trills.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French word 'gaudier', which means 'to rejoice' or 'to make merry'.
It entered the English language in the late 19th century, reflecting a shift toward conversation about style and decor.
The root 'gaud' has ties to the Latin word 'gadium', meaning 'joy' or 'pleasure'.

Fashion

The term is often associated with bright and over-the-top fashion choices that aim to attract attention.
Gaudy styles became particularly popular in the Victorian era, where excess and flamboyance in clothing were celebrated.
Modern interpretations include the use of bold colors, heavy embellishments, and clashing patterns.

Architecture

In architecture, gaudy designs can be seen in buildings that feature excessive ornamentation and bright colors, often to attract visitors.
During the Baroque period, grand structures were adorned with elaborate decorations, which some critics deemed gaudy.
Modern examples of gaudy architecture might involve playful urban art on buildings, which can be divisive in their appeal.

Art

In art, gaudy styles often evoke strong reactions, with some loving the vibrancy while others see it as cluttered or excessive.
Artists like Andy Warhol embraced gaudy aesthetics, using bright colors and commercial imagery to challenge traditional views of beauty.
Pop Art movements often utilized gaudy techniques to create pieces that were accessible and engaging to the public.

Psychology

Bright and gaudy colors can impact mood and perception, often associated with feelings of energy and vitality.
Studies show that excessively bright colors in surroundings can lead to cognitive overload or distractibility in some people.
People's preferences for gaudy versus subtle colors can reflect deeper personality traits and social influences.

Translations

Translations of the word "gaudily" in other languages:

🇵🇹 chamativamente

🇮🇳 भड़कीले ढंग से

🇩🇪 auffällig

🇮🇩 dengan mencolok

🇺🇦 кричущо

🇵🇱 jaskrawo

🇯🇵 けばけばしく

🇫🇷 de manière voyante

🇪🇸 llamativamente

🇹🇷 gösterişli bir şekilde

🇰🇷 화려하게

🇸🇦 بشكل مبهرج

🇨🇿 křiklavě

🇸🇰 nápadne

🇨🇳 华丽地

🇸🇮 vpadljivo

🇮🇸 áberandi

🇰🇿 жарқын түрде

🇬🇪 გამოწვევით

🇦🇿 gözdəçarpan şəkildə

🇲🇽 llamativamente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,882, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
35879 voluptuary
35880 obbligato
35881 tumbledown
35882 gaudily
35883 affixation
35884 saboteur
35885 menstruated
...