1
: clothed in vivid colors
a garish clown
2
a
: excessively or disturbingly vivid
garish colors
garish imagery
b
: offensively or distressingly bright : glaring
3
: tastelessly showy : flashy
garish neon signs
garishly
adverb
garishness
noun
Examples of garish in a Sentence
the wedding guest's thick makeup was garish and unnecessary
Recent Examples on the Web
Its fingerprint-resistant finish and seamless construction offer a clean, almost architectural presence—no clunky plastic, no garish branding, just elegant utility.
—
Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
The word has become an epithet for garish, reckless growth — but to fix the housing crisis, the country needs more of it.
—Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Martinis are in order, as well as garish floral print shirts and oversized sombreros.
—David Weiss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Martha Stewart Amber Floral Kitchen Towel Set Floral patterns don’t have to be garish.
—Clint Davis, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for garish
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Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
The word has become an epithet for garish, reckless growth — but to fix the housing crisis, the country needs more of it.
—Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Martinis are in order, as well as garish floral print shirts and oversized sombreros.
—David Weiss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Martha Stewart Amber Floral Kitchen Towel Set Floral patterns don’t have to be garish.
—Clint Davis, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for garish
Cite this Entry
“Garish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garish. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
garish
adjective
gar·ish
ˈga(ə)r-ish 
ˈge(ə)r-
: too bright or showy : gaudy
garishly
adverb
garishness
noun
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