meretricious Hear it!

meretricious Definition

mer·etri·cious (mer′ə tris̸h′əs)

adjective

  1. Obsolete of, like, or characteristic of a prostitute
  2. alluring by false, showy charms; attractive in a flashy way; tawdry
  3. superficially plausible; specious

Etymology: L meretricius < meretrix (gen. meretricis), a prostitute < mereri, to serve for hire, earn: see merit

meretricious Related Forms
mer′·etri′·ciously adverb mer′·etri′·cious·ness noun
meretricious Synonyms

meretricious

modif.

gaudy, flashy, loud, pretentious; see ornate 1, specious.

meretricious Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • display: So, Italian and Irish gangsters in the USA made meretricious displays of church going.

Browse dictionary entries near meretricious

  1. ‹ merengue
  2. ‹ merely
  3. ‹ Meredith
  4. ‹ -mere
  5. ‹ mere licensee
  6. ‹ mere
  7. ‹ merde
  8. ‹ mercy seat
  9. ‹ mercy killing
  10. ‹ mercy
  1. merganser ›
  2. merge ›
  3. Mergenthaler ›
  4. merger ›
  5. merger of equals ›
  6. Meriden ›
  7. meridian ›
  8. meridional ›
  9. merienda ›
  10. meringue ›