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

1620–30; < Latin meretrīcius of, pertaining to prostitutes, derivative of meretrīx prostitute, equivalent to mere-, stem of merēre to earn + -trīx -trix; see -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM meretricious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meretricious

meritorious meretricious

Words nearby meretricious

Example sentences from the Web for meretriciousness

  • She felt that she was a living part of John's meretriciousness.

    Leonora |Arnold Bennett
  • The meretriciousness of women and their love of luxury are denounced.

    Folkways |William Graham Sumner
  • There 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, noun

Word Origin for meretricious

C17: from Latin merētrīcius, from merētrix prostitute, from merēre to earn money