flashy

adjective

ˈfla-shē 

flashier; flashiest

1

chiefly dialectal : lacking in substance or flavor : insipid

2

: momentarily dazzling

3

a

: superficially attractive or impressive

b

: ostentatious or showy often beyond the bounds of good taste

especially : marked by gaudy brightness

flashily

ˈfla-shə-lē 

adverb

flashiness

ˈfla-shē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• stylish
• snazzy
• fashionable
• neat
• cool
• splashy
• chic
• jazzy
• fresh [slang]
• custom
• designer
• smart

Choose the Right Synonym for flashy

gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, meretricious mean vulgarly or cheaply showy.

gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

Examples of flashy in a Sentence

rich young men who drive flashy cars

I bought the CD primarily for its flashy cover design.

Recent Examples on the Web

His organizations raised tens of millions of dollars, opened chapters around the country, and staged flashy live events that kept his activists organized year-round. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025

After the end of the flashy Peak TV era, Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate Television Group chair and chief creative officer, sees green shoots signaling a hopeful recovery for the global TV business. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

Only after making a flashy hit at the edge of the screen and launching the enemy into an entirely different part of the stage will the first ally become available. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025

None of these are flashy gestures. —Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flashy

• ashy
• trashy

Kids Definition

flashy

adjective

ˈflash-ē 

flashier; flashiest

: gaudy

flashily

ˈflash-ə-lē 

adverb

flashiness

ˈflash-ē-nəs 

noun