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Garish

Showy and flashy in a tasteless or excessive way.

adjective

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Imagine This

The chef overgarnished the chicken entrée with flowers, so it looks like a showy bouquet.

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Sounds Like

GAR-ish (sounds like garnish, the decoration of food)

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Looks Like

Bright, clashing colors and elaborate, overdecorated appearance.

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Remember This

Garish and gaudy are related; garish emphasizes brightness and loudness, not taste. Do not confuse with garnish, which is decoration for food.

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Other Forms

garishlyadverb

garishnessnoun

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Connect With

gaudy, flashy, ostentatious, lurid, showy

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Note

Used to describe colors, clothing, or decor that are excessively bright or flashy; can be insulting when applied to people or style. Consider context and tone.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The bride's garish gown clashed with the subtle elegance of the ceremony.
Neon signs and flashing lights created a garish display that overwhelmed the street.

Synonyms

gaudyflashyloudostentatiousshowy

Antonyms

tastefulsubtlerestrainedunderstated

Etymology

From Middle English garish, possibly related to gaudy, from Old French gaudier ('to amuse, to make merry') or to garnir ('to deck'). The exact origin is uncertain.

Mnemonic

GARB-ISH: think of garb (clothes) plus -ish; if something is garb-ish, it's wearing garish clothes.

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