gaudy

1
[ gaw-dee ]
See synonyms for: gaudygaudilygaudiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,gaud·i·er, gaud·i·est.
  1. brilliantly or excessively showy: gaudy plumage.

  2. cheaply showy in a tasteless way; flashy.

  1. ostentatiously ornamented; garish.

Origin of gaudy

1
First recorded in 1520–30; originally attributive use of gaudy2; later taken as a derivative of gaud

synonym study For gaudy

2. Gaudy, flashy, garish, showy agree in the idea of conspicuousness and, often, bad taste. That which is gaudy challenges the eye, as by brilliant colors or evident cost, and is not in good taste: a gaudy hat. Flashy suggests insistent and vulgar display, in rather a sporty manner: a flashy necktie. Garish suggests a glaring brightness, or crude vividness of color, and too much ornamentation: garish decorations. Showy applies to that which is strikingly conspicuous, but not necessarily offensive to good taste: a garden of showy flowers; a showy dress.

Other words for gaudy

Opposites for gaudy

Other words from gaudy

  • gaud·i·ly, adverb
  • gaud·i·ness, noun
  • un·gaud·i·ly, adverb

Words Nearby gaudy

Other definitions for gaudy (2 of 2)

gaudy2
[ gaw-dee ]

noun,plural gaud·ies.British.
  1. a festival or celebration, especially an annual college feast.

Origin of gaudy

2
1400–50; late Middle English <Latin gaudium joy, delight

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gaudy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gaudy (1 of 2)

gaudy1

/ (ˈɡɔːdɪ) /


adjectivegaudier or gaudiest
  1. gay, bright, or colourful in a crude or vulgar manner; garish

Origin of gaudy

1
C16: from gaud

Derived forms of gaudy

  • gaudily, adverb
  • gaudiness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for gaudy (2 of 2)

gaudy2

/ (ˈɡɔːdɪ) /


nounplural gaudies
  1. British a celebratory festival or feast held at some schools and colleges

Origin of gaudy

2
C16: from Latin gaudium joy, from gaudēre to rejoice

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012