adjective

garish

/ˈɡærɪʃ/ · say it: GAR·ish

unpleasantly bright and showy

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) too bright, colorful, or decorated in a way that is unpleasant or offensive to the eye

2. (adjective) tasteless or showy in an unpleasant way

Examples

1. The garish neon signs made the street look cheap and tacky.
2. She wore a garish outfit with clashing colors and too many decorations.

How to use garish

Garish describes something that offends aesthetic sensibilities through excessive brightness, loudness, or poor taste—it carries a judgment of unpleasantness. It applies to visual elements like colors, clothing, or decor. While synonyms like gaudy and flashy are similar, garish often implies a more jarring or offensive quality, and it can suggest vulgarity or lack of refinement.

Common phrases

garish colors
garish makeup
garish decoration
garish display
garish outfit

Synonyms

gaudy · lurid · garish · flashy · tacky

Opposites

subtle · understated · tasteful

Word family

garishly (adverb) · garishness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use garish to mean simply 'bright' or 'colorful' without the negative connotation of poor taste; garish always carries disapproval.

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