gaudy

UK: /ˈgɔːdi/ US: /ˈgɔdi/ ,(gô′dē)

Inflections of 'gaudy' (adj):

gaudier

adj comparative

gaudiest

adj superlative

Inflections of 'gaudy' (n): npl: gaudies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gaud•y¹ /ˈgɔdi/   adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

1. showy in a tasteless way; flashy:
   a gaudy display of wealth.

gaud•i•ly /ˈgɔdəli/  adv. 
gaud•i•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gaud•y¹  (gô′dē), adj., gaud•i•er, gaud•i•est. 

1. brilliantly or excessively showy:
   gaudy plumage.
2. cheaply showy in a tasteless way;
   flashy.
3. ostentatiously ornamented;
   garish.

• 1520–30; origin, originally attributive use of gaudy²; later taken as a derivative of gaud

gaud′i•ly, adv. 
gaud′i•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. . tawdry, loud; conspicuous, obvious.
  Gaudy, flashy, garish, showy agree in the idea of conspicuousness and, often, bad taste. That which is gaudy challenges the eye, as by brilliant colors or evident cost, and is not in good taste:
  a gaudy hat.
  Flashy suggests insistent and vulgar display, in rather a sporty manner:
  a flashy necktie.
  Garish suggests a glaring brightness, or crude vividness of color, and too much ornamentation:
  garish decorations.
  Showy applies to that which is strikingly conspicuous, but not necessarily offensive to good taste:
  a garden of showy flowers; a showy dress.

Antonyms

• 2. . modest, sober.

gaud•y²  (gô′dē), n., pl. gaud•ies. [Brit.]

1. British Terms a festival or celebration, esp. an annual college feast.

• Latin gaudium joy, delight
• late Middle English 1400–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gaudy / ˈɡɔːdɪ/ adjective (gaudier, gaudiest)

1. gay, bright, or colourful in a crude or vulgar manner; garish

Etymology: 16th Century: from gaud

ˈgaudily adverb

ˈgaudiness noun

gaudy / ˈɡɔːdɪ/ noun (gaudies)

1. a celebratory festival or feast held at some schools and colleges

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin gaudium joy, from gaudēre to rejoice