gaudy
45 synonyms and 1 antonyms for gaudy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Showy or overdecorated to the point of looking cheap or tasteless.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use gaudy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Traced through Middle English gaudi, ultimately from Latin gaudia ("joys"), tied to the idea of ornaments or trinkets. It is not related to the architect Antoni Gaudí — despite a common myth, the word predates him by centuries.
Full origin of gaudy →Frequently asked questions
What does “gaudy” mean?
The word “gaudy” means showy or overdecorated to the point of looking cheap or tasteless. In plain terms, too flashy or over-decorated — bright, showy, and a bit much.
How do you pronounce “gaudy”?
“Gaudy” is pronounced GAW-dee (/ˈɡɔ.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “gaudy” in a sentence?
Here is “gaudy” used in a sentence: “She wore a gaudy gold necklace with fake gems the size of grapes.”
What is another word for “gaudy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gaudy” include bedizened, blingish, blatant, brash, campy and catchpenny.
What is the opposite of “gaudy”?
The opposite of “gaudy” — its antonyms — is unadorned.
What part of speech is “gaudy”?
Depending on how it is used, “gaudy” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “gaudy” come from?
The word “gaudy” comes from Latin.
How many meanings does “gaudy” have?
“Gaudy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showy or overdecorated to the point of looking cheap or tasteless.