tacky Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch
    • tacky varnish
  2. adjective satellite tastelessly showy
    garish; gaudy; brassy; meretricious; tatty; tawdry; flash; cheap; flashy; gimcrack; loud; trashy.
    • a flash car
    • a flashy ring
    • garish colors
    • a gaudy costume
    • loud sport shirts
    • a meretricious yet stylish book
    • tawdry ornaments

WordNet

Tack"y adjective
Etymology
Cf. Techy, Tack a spot.
Definitions
  1. Sticky; adhesive; raw; -- said of paint, varnish, etc., when not well dried. U. S.
  2. In poor taste; appearing cheap; gaudy; unstylish. Broadly used to describe objects whose style is disapproved of by the speaker.
  3. Tactless; in poor taste; -- used to describe behavior.

Webster 1913