kitschy

[ kich-ee ]

adjective

1. tawdry or showy and usually appealing to popular or undiscriminating taste:

   The Old Town district is known for its kitschy souvenirs, artisanal greasy-spoon restaurants, and a complete lack of parking.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kitschy¹

First recorded in 1945–50; kitsch ( def ) + -y ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The original production of the special was incorporated with skits, sketches and kitschy acting.

From Salon

The chain — recognized by its red-and-white striped logo and kitschy interior design — has quietly been closing locations since January and shuttered 50 more last week before filing for Chapter 11 protection.

From Los Angeles Times

We reconnected for a kitschy Instagram flick under the store’s arch of books.

From Los Angeles Times

Ports O’ Call, a kitschy imitation of a New England fishing village, opened in 1962.

From Los Angeles Times

Authentic videotape from that time and the shallow, kitschy music take you back to the time of the “Me Generation” and every low-brow cliché of the 70s through the Reagan years.

From Salon

Related Words

• brilliant
• flashy
• garish
• jazzy
• ostentatious
• showy
• snazzy
• splashy