tacky adj 1: (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch; "tacky varnish" 2: tastelessly showy; "a flash car"; "a flashy ring"; "garish colors"; "a gaudy costume"; "loud sport shirts"; "a meretricious yet stylish book"; "tawdry ornaments" [syn: {brassy}, {cheap}, {flash}, {flashy}, {garish}, {gaudy}, {gimcrack}, {loud}, {meretricious}, {tatty}, {tawdry}, {trashy}] [also: {tackiest}, {tackier}] tackier See {tacky}