flashy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfla-shē How to pronounce flashy (audio)
flashier; flashiest
Synonyms of flashynext
1
: momentarily dazzling
2
a
: superficially attractive or impressive
… moving beyond the glitz and pizzazz of the flashy technology to teach true literacy …—Barbara Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne Flannigan
b
: ostentatious or showy often beyond the bounds of good taste
driving around in flashy cars
especially : marked by gaudy brightness
flashy colors
3
chiefly dialectal : lacking in substance or flavor : insipid
flashily
ˈfla-shə-lē How to pronounce flashy (audio)
adverb
flashiness
ˈfla-shē-nəs How to pronounce flashy (audio)
noun

flashiness

2 of 2

noun

flash·​i·​ness -shēnə̇s How to pronounce flashiness (audio)
-shin-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being flashy

Synonyms of flashy

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Adjective

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Choose the Right Synonym for flashy

gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, meretricious mean vulgarly or cheaply showy.

gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

Examples of flashy in a Sentence

Adjective rich young men who drive flashy cars I bought the CD primarily for its flashy cover design.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Not everything that gets picked as a Gear of the Year winner is some flashy piece of techy kitchen equipment. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 In 2027, Whatnot predicts that the Y2K revival will be even flashier than before. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 After years of laying low, Feldman is now back with less flashy projects, quietly re-entering the real estate game with his daughter as partner in the national affordable and workforce housing firm GoodHomes. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026 The brand’s signature intrecciato weave is instantly recognizable without being overly flashy; plus, the wallet is functional, too, with a slim silhouette, two bill compartments, and eight card slots. — Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flashy

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of flashy was in 1593

Rhymes for flashy

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Browse Nearby Words

flash welding
flashy
flask
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Cite this Entry

“Flashy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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