tacky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈta-kē 

tackier; tackiest

: somewhat sticky to the touch

tacky varnish

also : characterized by tack : adhesive

tacky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

tackier; tackiest

1

: not having or exhibiting good taste: such as

a

: marked by cheap showiness : gaudy

a tacky publicity stunt

a tacky outfit

b

: marked by lack of style : dowdy

2

a

: characterized by lack of good breeding

couldn't run around downtown … in a bikini, which was tacky

—Cyra McFadden

b

: shabby, seedy

a tacky town whose citrus groves were blighted by smoke

—Bryce Nelson

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• adherent
• adhesive
• clingy
• gluey
• glutinous
• gummy
• sticky
• tenacious
• viscid

Adjective (2)

• cheesy
• dowdy
• inelegant
• styleless
• tasteless
• ticky-tacky
• ticky-tack
• trashy
• unfashionable
• unstylish

Examples of tacky in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky

Adjective (2)

it was tacky to wear sneakers to the wedding

tacky plastic flowers

a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This is especially true of corn brooms, which can be slightly tacky, causing shards to stick to the rushes. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2024

Its easy slip-on design is paired with a tacky Vibram outsole offering traction that reminded us of Topo’s award-winning trail shoes. —Cory Smith, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024

Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl, then increase the speed to medium-high and continue mixing until a slightly tacky, soft, springy dough forms, about 5 minutes. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 16 Dec. 2024

While most glosses eventually dry down to become sticky or tacky, that doesn’t happen with this formula. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

tack entry 2

Adjective (2)

tacky a low-class person

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing tacky

• ticky-tacky

Kids Definition

tacky

1 of 2 adjective

ˈtak-ē 

tackier; tackiest

: somewhat sticky to the touch

tacky varnish

tacky

2 of 2 adjective

tackier; tackiest

1

: shabby sense 2b, seedy

2

: marked by lack of style or good taste

a tacky outfit