tacky

/ˈtæki/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈæki] /ˈtæki/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈæki] /ˈta-kē How to pronounce tacky (audio)/ (ame, mw)

tacky — adjective

  • tackypositive
  • tackiercomparative
  • tackiestsuperlative

1. looking cheap, overdone, or badly chosen in a way that shows poor taste.

1.形容詞B2
釋義

looking cheap, overdone, or badly chosen in a way that shows poor taste.

例句

Sophia thought the giant gold balloons made the restaurant entrance look tacky.

pattern: make + place + look tacky

The souvenir shop sold tacky plastic crowns beside the museum books.

collocation: tacky souvenir / tacky plastic

同義詞
  • gaudy

    focuses on colours or decoration that are too bright or showy

  • tasteless

    more neutral and slightly broader; does not always suggest showiness

  • cheesy

    informal; often used for things that feel silly or low-quality rather than elegant

  • vulgar

    stronger and more critical; can also suggest rude or crude taste

反義詞
  • tasteful

    showing good judgement and restraint in style

  • elegant

    graceful and attractive, often with a more polished tone

  • classy

    informal; stylish and high-quality rather than cheap-looking

文法句型

tacky + noun

be/look + tacky

find + object + tacky

用法筆記

Often used for clothes, decor, gifts, publicity, or behaviour that seems eager to impress in the wrong way. Distinguish from 'gaudy': gaudy stresses loud colour or decoration, while tacky is a broader criticism of poor taste.

常見錯誤

❌These shoes are tacky because they only cost ten dollars.
✅These shoes are cheap, but they do not look tacky.
💡'tacky' criticises style or taste, not price by itself.

2. still slightly wet and leaving a faint cling on your fingers because it has not

2.形容詞B2
釋義

still slightly wet and leaving a faint cling on your fingers because it has not dried fully yet.

例句

Don't stack the boxes yet because the paint is still tacky.

collocation: still tacky

Lan touched the wall and found the new paint tacky.

pattern: find + object + tacky

同義詞
  • sticky

    broader and more common; not limited to something that has partly dried

  • gummy

    suggests a thicker, softer kind of stickiness

  • adhesive

    more technical; often used for materials made to stick

反義詞
  • dry

    fully free from wetness or stickiness

  • smooth

    not sticking to the hand when touched

文法句型

tacky + noun (paint, glue, surface)

be + tacky

feel + tacky

用法筆記

Most often used for paint, glue, varnish, or another coating that has partly dried but is not ready to touch yet.

常見錯誤

❌The road was tacky after the rain.
✅The road was muddy after the rain.
💡'tacky' means slightly sticky to the touch, usually of paint, glue, or a coated surface.