kitschy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "kitschy" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is considered gaudy, overly cutesy, or tacky in a humorous or endearing way. Example sentence: My grandma's living room was filled with kitschy decorations, including a large clown painting hanging on the wall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the preamble is not just national martyrology and kitschy symbolism.

The Guardian - Opinion

These days, we might giggle at these kitschy Big Things, but these outsize odes to local industry, lovingly fashioned out of chicken wire and cement, had a role to play.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the first, a young, naive and compliant Linda (Amanda Seyfried) falls in love with shady Chuck Traynor Peter Sarsgaardd), stars in Deep Throat and achieves fame in a whirl of kitschy 70s glamour.

The Guardian - Film

A kitschy futuristic video featuring SBS host Julia Zamiro and some costumed Aussies helicoptering the continent to Europe followed, before characters including a koala and some Sydney Swans AFL players performed a musical number on stage, name checking Russell Crowe, cockatoos and budgie smugglers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Video is kept to a minimum; an irritatingly kitschy introduction by the World Bank's president, James Wolfensohn, explains how the CD-ROM format allows the Bank to be available 24 hours a day.

The Economist

The security forces suffered no losses, and much of Egypt's government gathered as scheduled to applaud a kitschy televised pageant, featuring top stars crooning patriotic anthems against the backdrop of a blue-tinted pyramid, at a military club.

The Economist

In typical Indian fashion, the video is both kitschy and irresistible.

The Economist

The stuffed lions either side of the entrance look rather kitschy.

The Economist

To most foreigners, its faux-diamond ornamentation is egregiously kitschy.

The Economist

A descendant calls the Pushkin products kitschy, which they are.

The Economist

In the first ten months of 2014 Japanese business made 393 new investments in Taiwan, even as Japan was slipping into recession.Taiwan's commercial ties to Japan have been strong throughout the post-war era, but the country's sometimes kitschy nostalgia for Japanese culture first came into flower with the lifting of martial law in 1987 and the advent of democracy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kitschy" to describe objects or styles that are intentionally or unintentionally humorous due to their tackiness. It often carries a sense of affection or irony.

Common error

Avoid using "kitschy" when you simply mean something is ugly or poorly made. "Kitschy" implies a certain charm or humor in its tackiness, not just negativity.

Linguistic Context

The word "kitschy" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as being overly decorated, sentimental, or in poor taste, often in a humorous or ironic way. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kitschy" is an adjective used to describe something that is overly sentimental, gaudy, or in poor taste, often in a humorous or affectionate way. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "kitschy", remember to convey the sense of ironic appreciation or amusement, rather than simply indicating something is ugly or poorly made. Consider alternatives like "tacky" or "campy" to fine-tune your message. Use "kitschy" to spice up your writing and give it that flair for uniqueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tacky

Similar to "kitschy" but focuses more on the lack of good taste and cheapness.

gaudy

Implies excessive ornamentation and garishness, a more flamboyant version of "kitschy".

corny

Focuses on the sentimentality and overused nature of something, differing from "kitschy"'s emphasis on visual style.

tasteless

Indicates a lack of aesthetic judgment, overlapping with the negative connotations of "kitschy".

campy

Suggests a deliberate and ironic enjoyment of the "kitschy" aesthetic.

over-the-top

Describes something excessively extravagant, a broader term that can encompass "kitschy" elements.

ostentatious

Emphasizes a showy and pretentious display, similar to the visual excess of "kitschy".

garish

Highlights the offensively bright and clashing colors often associated with "kitschy" designs.

schlocky

Like "kitschy", it denotes cheapness and poor quality, usually in an endearing way.

contrived

Focuses on the artificial and unnatural quality, differing from "kitschy" in its lack of inherent humor.

FAQs

How do you use "kitschy" in a sentence?

You can use "kitschy" to describe decor, art, or fashion that is overly decorated or sentimental in a way that is considered humorous or endearing. For example, "The restaurant had a "kitschy" Hawaiian theme with plastic palm trees and tiki torches."

What is the difference between "tacky" and "kitschy"?

"Tacky" generally implies poor taste and is purely negative, while "kitschy" suggests a certain ironic appreciation or fondness for something that is also considered to be in poor taste. "Kitschy" can even be seen as fashionable in some contexts.

What are some synonyms for "kitschy"?

Some synonyms for "kitschy" include "campy", "gaudy", "tacky", "corny", and "schlocky". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the word "kitschy"?

It is appropriate to use the word "kitschy" when you want to describe something that is deliberately or unintentionally humorous because it is overly sentimental, gaudy, or in poor taste, but in a way that is oddly charming or likeable.