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Tawdry Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tawdry

[หˆtษ”หdri ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

cheap and showy

Tawdry is used to describe something that is cheap, gaudy, or of poor quality, especially in terms of appearance. It suggests a lack of taste or style, often associated with excessive ornamentation or flashy decorations.

Synonyms

flashy, garish, gaudy, ostentatious, tacky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tawdry

Used to describe something that looks cheap and of low quality, often with a sense of being showy in a vulgar way. Typically, it has a negative connotation.

  • Her jewelry was too tawdry to be part of a sophisticated ensemble
  • The tawdry decorations made the event feel less formal
gaudy

Used to describe something that is extravagantly bright or showy, often in a tasteless way. This has a negative connotation.

  • The dress was gaudy, with too many sparkles and an overwhelming color
  • The room was full of gaudy decorations that made it look cheap
flashy

Used when describing something designed to attract attention through bright colors or eye-catching details. It can be positive or negative depending on the context, often seen in fashion or cars.

  • He bought a flashy sports car to show off his success
  • The flashy display caught everyone's attention
ostentatious

Used to describe something designed to impress or attract notice, but in a way that is excessive or showy. It typically has a negative implication.

  • His ostentatious display of wealth was off-putting
  • The house was decorated in an ostentatious style, with gold accents everywhere
tacky

Used to describe something that is in poor taste or of low quality, often related to fashion or decoration. This also has a negative connotation.

  • The tacky decorations ruined the fun of the party
  • Wearing that tacky shirt to the formal event was a mistake
garish

Used to describe something extremely bright, colorful, and often in bad taste. It almost always has a negative connotation.

  • The garish colors of the billboard were hard to look at
  • Her garish makeup made her look much older

Examples of usage

  • The tawdry decorations at the party clashed with the elegant surroundings.
  • She refused to wear the tawdry jewelry her ex-boyfriend had given her.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

  • The term often appears in literature and media to describe characters or scenes that are gaudy or lacking substance.
  • In popular culture, 'tawdry' is frequently used in critiques of fashion trends that prioritize style over quality.
  • Movies and TV shows often depict tawdry settings to highlight moral decay or superficiality.

Art and Design

  • In the art world, tawdry creations are often seen as lacking depth or meaningful craftsmanship.
  • There's a distinction between 'tawdry art' which is flashy and lacks substance, and meaningful pieces that provoke thought.
  • Some designers focus on making tawdry pieces to comment on consumerism and societal values.

Psychology

  • People often seek tawdry items as a quick way to boost mood or status, despite their lack of quality.
  • The allure of tawdry things can be linked to instant gratification in consumer psychology.
  • Studying the attraction to tawdry items might reveal insights into human behavior regarding value and self-image.

Literature

  • Tawdry characters are featured in many novels to illustrate superficiality or moral challenges.
  • In classic literature, a tawdry setting can reflect the inner turmoil or pretensions of a character.
  • Authors may use tawdry imagery to create a sharp contrast with more profound themes in their works.

Origin of 'tawdry'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'tawdry' comes from 'Saint Audrey', whose fair was known for selling cheap trinkets.
  • In medieval England, 'Tawdry Lace' referred to a type of cheap ornament sold at the fair.
  • Over time, the term evolved to describe anything that was gaudy or of poor quality.

The word 'tawdry' originated from the term 'St. Audrey's lace' or 'tawdry lace', which was cheap lace sold at St. Audrey's fair in Ely, England. Over time, the term evolved to describe anything cheap and showy, losing its original association with lace. The negative connotations of 'tawdry' have persisted through the centuries.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,681, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.