meretricious
[ mer-i-trish-uhs ]
/ ˌmɛr ɪˈtrɪʃ əs /
adjective
alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.
based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.
pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute.
Origin of meretricious
OTHER WORDS FROM meretricious
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meretricious
meritorious meretriciousWords nearby meretricious
Example sentences from the Web for meretriciousness
She felt that she was a living part of John's meretriciousness.
Leonora |Arnold BennettThe meretriciousness of women and their love of luxury are denounced.
Folkways |William Graham SumnerThere was a suggestion of meretriciousness in the tinted lips and the pretence of colour on the charming face.
The Hand in the Dark |Arthur J. Rees
British Dictionary definitions for meretriciousness
meretricious
/ (ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs) /
adjective
superficially or garishly attractive
insincere
meretricious praise
archaic
of, like, or relating to a prostitute
Derived forms of meretricious
meretriciously, adverb meretriciousness, nounWord Origin for meretricious
C17: from Latin
merētrīcius, from
merētrix prostitute, from
merēre to earn money