noun

kitsch

/kɪtʃ/ · say it: KITCH

art considered tasteless or overly sentimental

In more detail

art, decoration, or entertainment that is popular but of poor quality; something produced in large quantities that lacks genuine artistic value

Examples

The souvenir shop was full of kitsch—plastic figurines and cheap souvenirs for tourists.

How to use kitsch

Kitsch refers to mass-produced items or entertainment that are aesthetically poor but commercially successful, often with an ironic or nostalgic appeal. The term carries a judgmental tone, though it can be used neutrally in cultural criticism or with affection when referring to deliberately campy items. It differs from 'trash' by implying a specific aesthetic failure rather than simple worthlessness.

Common phrases

kitsch decoration
kitsch value
kitsch appeal
aesthetic kitsch
kitsch art

Synonyms

trash · schlock · tackiness · camp · cheap sentimentality

Opposites

high art · masterpiece

Word family

kitschy (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use kitsch to mean simply 'fake' or 'artificial' without the key implication of mass production and poor taste; kitsch is specifically about low-quality items that are nonetheless popular.

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