Basic Details
Word: Tawdry
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Showy and cheap in appearance; lacking in good taste.
Synonyms: Tacky, gaudy, shoddy
Antonyms: Elegant, classy, tasteful
Idioms and Phrases
- Tawdry trinkets: Refers to cheap and showy jewellery or decorations. Example: "She bought several tawdry trinkets from the market, but none of them were really nice."
- Tawdry affair: A relationship or situation that is considered scandalous or lacking in finesse. Example: "The tawdry affair was the talk of the town, but many chose to ignore it."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The tawdry decorations at the party made it feel more like a circus than a celebration.
Example 2: He wore a tawdry suit that clashed with the elegant atmosphere of the event.
Example 3: The market was filled with tawdry items that seemed to lose their charm the closer you looked.
Fun Fact
The word "tawdry" has its origins in a phrase referring to "St. Audrey's lace," which was a cheap and showy lace sold at fairs in England. Over time, the meaning evolved to describe something that is gaudy or of poor quality.
Famous Quote
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "tawdry" mean?
a) Expensive and elegant
b) Showy and cheap in appearance
c) Subtle and refined
d) Natural and simple
Answer: b) Showy and cheap in appearance
2. Which of these is a synonym of "tawdry"?
a) Elegant
b) Tacky
c) Graceful
d) Stylish
Answer: b) Tacky
3. Which sentence uses "tawdry" correctly?
a) The tawdry dress was very expensive to buy.
b) She redecorated her room with tawdry furniture that looked very stylish.
c) The tawdry decorations made the event appear less sophisticated.
d) His tawdry art pieces were displayed in a famous gallery.
Answer: c) The tawdry decorations made the event appear less sophisticated.
4. Which idiom means something similar to "tawdry"?
a) Little by little
b) Tawdry trinkets
c) A stitch in time
d) Kill two birds with one stone
Answer: b) Tawdry trinkets
5. What is the opposite of "tawdry"?
a) Cheap
b) Shoddy
c) Classy
d) Tacky
Answer: c) Classy
