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Definitions

gaudy

[gaw-dee] / ˈgɔ di /
ADJECTIVE
bright and vulgar
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brilliant flashy garish jazzy ostentatious showy snazzy splashy
STRONG
chichi crude gay gross pizazz screaming tinsel
WEAK
blatant brazen catchpenny chintzy coarse flaunting florid froufrou glaring gussied up kitschy loud meretricious obtrusive pretentious putting on the ritz raffish ritzy splendiferous tasteless tawdry
Antonyms
STRONGEST
modest normal plain simple tasteful
WEAK
calm drab dull refined sophisticated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Four years after Lincoln Riley arrived at USC amid gaudy promises to return the football program to national prominence, well, two words.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025

Baken and Baitz’s previous effort coagulated into some sorta cultural critique about the nation going to Hell, while “All’s Fair” celebrates some of the people sending us there in a shameless parade of gaudy excess.

From Salon • Nov. 6, 2025

New casinos sprang up, alongside gaudy, luxury hotels and apartment blocks.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

The compensation is unprecedented, but investors have chosen this type of gaudy compensation for Musk in the past.

From Barron's • Oct. 20, 2025

I faced the gaudy sunflower on her canvas bag—it looked hand-painted—and at last my eyes fell into hers.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.