dictionary definitions for "tacky"


From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tacky \Tack"y\, n. [Written also tackey.]
     An ill-conditioned, ill-fed, or neglected horse; also, a
     person in a like condition. [Southern U. S.]
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tacky \Tack"y\, a. [Cf. Techy, Tack a spot.]
     Sticky; somewhat adhesive;; -- said of paint, varnish, etc.,
     when not well dried. [U. S.]
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tacky \Tack"y\, a. [Etymol. uncert.]
     1. Dowdy, shabby, or neglected in appearance; unkempt.
        [Local, U. S.]
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     2. In poor taste; appearing cheap; gaudy; unstylish. Broadly
        used to describe objects whose style is disapproved of by
        the speaker.
        [PJC]
  
     3. Tactless; in poor taste; -- used to describe behavior.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  tacky
      adj 1: (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely
             dried and slightly sticky to the touch; "tacky varnish"
      2: tastelessly showy; "a flash car"; "a flashy ring"; "garish
         colors"; "a gaudy costume"; "loud sport shirts"; "a
         meretricious yet stylish book"; "tawdry ornaments" [syn:
         brassy, cheap, flash, flashy, garish, gaudy,
         gimcrack, loud, meretricious, tacky, tatty,
         tawdry, trashy]


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