The difference between Gaudy and Tawdry

When used as adjectives, gaudy means very showy or ornamented, now especially when excessive, or in a tasteless or vulgar manner, whereas tawdry means cheap and gaudy.


Gaudy is also noun with the meaning: one of the large beads in the rosary at which the paternoster is recited.

check bellow for the other definitions of Gaudy and Tawdry

  1. Gaudy as an adjective:

    very showy or ornamented, now especially when excessive, or in a tasteless or vulgar manner

  2. Gaudy as an adjective (obsolete):

    gay; merry; festive

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Tennyson"

  1. Gaudy as a noun:

    One of the large beads in the rosary at which the paternoster is recited.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Gower"

  1. Gaudy as a noun:

    A reunion held by one of the colleges of the University of Oxford for alumni, normally held during the summer vacations.

  1. Tawdry as an adjective (of clothing, appearance, etc.):

    Cheap and gaudy; showy.

  2. Tawdry as an adjective (of character, behavior, situations, etc.):

    Unseemly, base, shameful.

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