catchpenny

[ kach-pen-ee ]

adjective

1. made to sell readily at a low price, regardless of value or use.

noun

, plural catch·pen·nies.

1. something that is catchpenny.

catchpenny

/ ˈkætʃˌpɛnɪ /

adjective

1. prenominal designed to have instant appeal, esp in order to sell quickly and easily without regard for quality

   catchpenny ornaments

noun

1. an item or commodity that is cheap and showy

Word History and Origins

Origin of catchpenny¹

1750–60; from phrase catch ( a ) penny

Example Sentences

It was Marr, though, who had seized upon it when it merely was a catchpenny carnival device and made of it a real money earner.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the staple commodity of your newspaper-mongers, and the catchpenny song of the streets.

From Project Gutenberg

Fortunate, indeed, is the famous man who escapes the catchpenny biographer.

From Project Gutenberg

Their popularity is not of the catchpenny sort; thoughtful people read them, as well as the great drove of the undiscriminating.

From Project Gutenberg

There has been several catchpenny works on this subject lately issued.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• garish
• gaudy
• glittering
• glittery
• jazzy
• ostentatious
• showy
• snazzy
• tacky