tacky
word
/ˈtæki/
TA-kee
/tˈæki/
TA-kee
Definition
Describes something that is in poor taste, cheap-looking, or unfashionable. It can also mean slightly sticky to the touch.
Usage & Nuances
Tends to be informal and often mildly criticizing style, decorations, or behavior ('tacky dress', 'tacky party'). As a description of texture, usually means unpleasantly sticky but not fully wet. Do not confuse with 'sticky' for physical use or 'cheesy' for excessive sentimentality.
Spanish: hortera - pegajoso (texturas)Portuguese (BR): brega - pegajoso (textura)Portuguese (PT): piroso - pegajoso (textura)Chinese (Simplified): 俗气 - 粘的Chinese (Traditional): 俗氣 - 黏的Hindi: भद्दा - चिपचिपाArabic: مبتذل - لزجBengali: অরুচিকর - সস্তা - আঁঠালো (সামান্য)Russian: безвкусный - дешевый - липкий (слегка)Japanese: ダサい - 安っぽい - べたべたする (少し)Vietnamese: kém sang - rẻ tiền - hơi dínhKorean: 촌스러운 - 싸구려의 - 약간 끈적거리는Turkish: zevksiz - ucuz - yapışkan (biraz)Urdu: بدذوق - سستا - چپچپا (تھوڑا)Indonesian: norak - murahan - agak lengket
Example Sentences
I can't believe he wore that tacky gold chain to the wedding.
natural
The paint feels a bit tacky because it hasn't dried yet.
natural
Those flashing lights are so tacky, they're hard to look at.
natural
That bright shirt looks tacky.
basic
The glue is still tacky, so don't touch it.
basic
Many people think plastic flowers are tacky.
basic