chintzy

adjective

ˈchin(t)-sē 

chintzier; chintziest

1

: decorated with or as if with chintz

2

a

: gaudy, cheap

chintzy toys

b

: stingy

chintziness noun

Synonyms

• affordable
• bargain-basement
• budget
• cheap
• cheapie
• cheapo
• cut-price [chiefly British]
• cut-rate
• dime-store
• dirt cheap
• el cheapo
• inexpensive
• low
• low-end
• popular
• reasonable

Examples of chintzy in a Sentence

The boss is chintzy about raises.

for the party I want chintzy plates that we can throw away afterward

Recent Examples on the Web

Its ambitions are lofty, but they’re also undermined at nearly every turn by chintzy visual effects that prove more distracting than immersive and uniformly wooden performances. —Michael Nordine, Variety, 12 July 2024

The second Aquaman, like the first, is true to itself: a chintzy blast of machismo every bit as disinterested in regime change as its bulky hero is. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2024

Large plastic panels below the arm rests on the doors feel chintzy, as do the slide-out cup holders and storage area below the center console. —Steven Ewing, Ars Technica, 6 Nov. 2023

The wood trim looks and feels chintzy, the sunshades for the optional panoramic roof aren't power operated, and only the passenger-side second-row seat slides forward to allow third-row passengers in and out—a clear cost-cutting move that compromises convenience. —Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 12 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chintzy

adjective

ˈchin(t)-sē 

chintzier; chintziest

1

: decorated with or as if with chintz

2

a

: not tasteful or stylish

b

: of low quality

3

: stingy

chintziness noun