Tawdry in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Use

Tawdry in a sentence describes something that is showy and cheap at the same time, and often slightly sordid. The adjective belongs to things that pretend to be finer than they are: “The tawdry decorations looked bright until you stood close.” Tawdry judges appearance and quality together, so what it describes is never merely plain.

Tawdry at a glance

• Tawdry is an adjective meaning showy but cheap, or cheap in a slightly sordid way.
• The dominant pattern is tawdry plus a noun, as in tawdry jewellery or a tawdry scandal.
• It carries clear disapproval and belongs to descriptive, critical and journalistic writing.
• Common partners are jewellery, decorations, glamour, affair, scandal and hotel.
• The commonest error is using tawdry for anything expensive, when it also means cheap.

What does tawdry mean?

Tawdry is an adjective meaning cheap and showy in appearance, or cheap in a way that seems morally grubby. The Cambridge entry for tawdry records both the flashy and the sordid senses, and the two overlap because what looks glittering while costing little often turns out to be seedy too.

One honest limit is worth stating. Tawdry is not a neutral word for inexpensive, because it scorns the thing it describes; a cheap and cheerful meal can be good value, while a tawdry one is cheap and pretentious at once. Where the only fault is low price, inexpensive or plain is fairer and more accurate.

How do you use tawdry in a sentence?

Tawdry leads three main patterns. It sits before a noun, it follows a linking verb, or it is compared as tawdrier and tawdriest.

The word always carries a judgement, so it suits criticism and never a neutral inventory. A showy uniform is simply eye-catching, but a tawdry one is eye-catching and cheap.

Tawdry in a sentence: examples across contexts

The adjective keeps its double edge of flashiness and cheapness wherever it appears. Each row shows the register and why the sentence works.

A shabby old coat is worn and poor, but it makes no claim to glamour, which is exactly what separates it from tawdry.

Tawdry vs gaudy

Tawdry and gaudy both criticise bright, excessive display, and the difference lies in quality and tone. Gaudy can be expensive and merely loud, while tawdry adds the sting of cheapness and, often, of something sordid.

The verdict is straightforward: choose tawdry when cheapness or sleaze is part of the criticism, and a gaudy display of colour when the only fault is loudness. A garish pattern offends the eye, while tawdry offends judgement as well. In its sordid sense, tawdry also brushes against sleazy behaviour.

Word forms and grammar of tawdry

The -ier and -iest forms are standard, and the noun tawdriness names the quality itself. Learners sometimes write tawdryness, which is a common misspelling; the standard noun is tawdriness with one y before the final ness.

Common mistakes with tawdry

• Incorrect: She wore an expensive tawdry necklace. Correct: She wore an expensive but gaudy necklace. Rule: tawdry implies cheap, so it clashes with expensive.
• Incorrect: The plain wooden chair was tawdry. Correct: The plain wooden chair was plain but well made. Rule: tawdry needs an element of showiness, not just simplicity.
• Incorrect: The shop sells tawdry goods at fair prices. Correct: The shop sells cheap goods at fair prices. Rule: tawdry is a judgement, not a neutral price label.
• Incorrect: The charity event was tawdry and moving. Correct: The charity event was simple and moving. Rule: tawdry conveys scorn, so it clashes with sincere praise.
• Incorrect: The tawdried room looked cheap. Correct: The tawdry room looked cheap. Rule: tawdry is an adjective, so it does not take an -ed ending.

Practice using tawdry

1. Fill in the blank: The market was full of ______ jewellery that turned green in a week.
2. Choose the better word: The curtain was (gaudy / tawdry) but made of costly silk.
3. Correct the error: The simple wooden bench looked tawdry under the trees.
4. Build a sentence: use a tawdry affair about a scandal in a small town.
5. Spot the register: which suits a serious news report – the party was a bit tawdry, or the party revealed tawdry dealings?
6. Fill in the blank: Critics condemned the ______ glamour of the whole contest.

Answers

1. tawdry — bright jewellery that falls apart is showy and cheap.
2. gaudy — costly silk is loud rather than cheap, so tawdry does not fit.
3. The bench was simply plain, not tawdry — there is no showiness to condemn.
4. Model answer: The mayor resigned after a tawdry affair filled the local papers.
5. The party revealed tawdry dealings — a serious report keeps the full force of the word.
6. tawdry — the glamour is cheap and discreditable.

The bottom line

Use tawdry in a sentence for things that are showy and cheap together, and sometimes for scandals that feel grubby. The two facts that decide most sentences are that tawdry always carries disapproval, so it never means merely inexpensive, and that it needs some element of display. Choose gaudy for loudness without cheapness, and plain or inexpensive when no criticism is meant at all.

Frequently asked questions about tawdry

What part of speech is tawdry?

Tawdry is an adjective, as in a tawdry necklace or a tawdry affair. It has the comparative and superlative forms tawdrier and tawdriest, plus the adverb tawdrily and the noun tawdriness. It is not used as a verb, so forms such as tawdried are mistakes.

Can tawdry describe behaviour as well as objects?

Yes. The word began with cheap finery but now covers conduct too, especially conduct that looks flashy and turns out to be shameful. A tawdry affair, a tawdry deal or a tawdry excuse all criticise the values behind the behaviour, not just its appearance.

What is a plain synonym for tawdry?

For the showy-but-cheap sense, gaudy or cheap and flashy come close, and tacky is the everyday equivalent in speech. For the sordid sense, sleazy is the nearest plain word. None of them carries quite the same double sting, because tawdry fuses cheapness with a hint of shame.

Is tawdry too strong for everyday speech?

Tawdry is stronger and more literary than tacky, so it suits reviews, essays and serious reporting better than casual chat. In speech it can sound pointed, and calling a friend outfit tawdry would land as an insult. Use a gentler word when no real criticism is intended.

Do you know what “tawdry” means? This adjective describes something cheap, showy, and of poor quality.

When we say something is “tawdry,” it typically implies that it lacks elegance or good taste, often appearing flashy or gaudy in a way that is considered tacky or vulgar.

7 Examples Of Tawdry Used In a Sentence For Kids

• I saw a tawdry ribbon on the gift.
• She wore a tawdry necklace to the party.
• The clown’s hat looked very tawdry.
• The shop had a display of tawdry toys.
• The princess wore a tawdry crown.
• The puppet had a tawdry outfit.
• The magician’s cape was tawdry with glitter.

14 Sentences with Tawdry Examples

• Tawdry clothing is not appropriate for college presentations.
• Some students prefer to buy tawdry accessories from local markets.
• She received a tawdry gift from a classmate during the college Secret Santa event.
• The tawdry decorations at the college festival did not impress the attendees.
• He was scolded by his professor for wearing a tawdry shirt to class.
• They decided to go thrift shopping for some tawdry items to wear at the college party.
• The college canteen served tawdry food that many students avoided.
• Despite the tawdry brochure, the college campus tour was impressive.
• The college hostel rooms were decorated with tawdry posters and fairy lights.
• She regretted buying a tawdry phone cover just because it was cheap.
• The college play had tawdry costumes that distracted from the performance.
• They attended a college social where everyone dressed in tawdry outfits.
• The college bulletin board was filled with tawdry flyers advertising various events.
• Many students found the college merchandise to be tawdry and overpriced.

How To Use Tawdry in Sentences?

To incorporate Tawdry into a sentence, consider it as an adjective to describe something cheap, showy, or of poor quality. For example, you can say “She refused to wear the tawdry necklace her ex-boyfriend gave her because it reminded her of their toxic relationship.”

Remember to place Tawdry before a noun to properly convey its meaning. Additionally, try to understand the context in which this word is used to make sure it fits the situation. When using Tawdry in a sentence, it’s essential to provide clear and descriptive language to effectively communicate your message.

Here are a few more examples of sentences using Tawdry:
– The tawdry decorations at the party made it clear that minimal effort was put into planning the event.
– The historical museum refused to display the tawdry replica of the famous painting, opting for authenticity instead.
– The actress was criticized for her tawdry outfit choice at the prestigious award ceremony.

By following these guidelines and practicing using Tawdry in various sentences, you can enhance your vocabulary and effectively express yourself in writing or conversation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of tawdry sentences can detract from the overall quality of writing by lending a cheap, vulgar, or showy tone to the text. These sentences are often flashy or gaudy in an attempt to grab attention, but they can end up overshadowing the intended message or theme of the piece. Writers should strive for clarity, elegance, and tastefulness in their sentence construction to convey their ideas effectively and engage readers meaningfully.

By avoiding tawdry sentences and opting for more refined language choices, writers can enhance the readability and impact of their work. Thoughtful and polished sentences can elevate the quality of writing, contributing to a more sophisticated and engaging reading experience. Ultimately, the art of crafting sentences should prioritize clarity, coherence, and precision over excessive ornamentation or sensationalism for a more effective communication of ideas.