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gaudy

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The definition of gaudy is something that is bright and ornate, but overdone to the point of being tacky.

(adjective)

An example of something that might be described as gaudy is a large tiara completely covered in big fake diamonds.

See gaudy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective gaudier, gaudiest

bright and showy, but lacking in good taste; cheaply brilliant and ornate

Origin: gaud + -y

Related Forms:

gaudily adverb
gaudiness noun

noun pl. gaudies

a feast; esp., an annual dinner or reunion at a British university

Origin: < L gaudium, joy

See gaudy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective gaud·i·er, gaud·i·est

Showy in a tasteless or vulgar way.

Origin:

Origin: Possibly from gaudy² (influenced by gaud)

Related Forms:

gaudˈi·ly adverb

gaudˈi·ness noun

noun pl. gaud·ies
Chiefly British

A feast, especially an annual university dinner.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English gaudi, gaud, prank, trick

Origin: , possibly from Old French gaudie, merriment (from gaudir, to enjoy, make merry, from Latin gaudēre, to rejoice)

Origin: and from Latin gaudium, enjoyment, merry-making (from gaudēre, to rejoice; see gāu- in Indo-European roots)

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