WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
gar•ish /ˈgɛrɪʃ, ˈgær-/USA pronunciation
adj.
gar•ish•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- overly or tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate:garish Christmas decorations.
- excessively bright;
glaring:the garish lights of the disco.
gar•ish•ness, n. [uncountable]
gar•ish
(gâr′ish, gar′-),USA pronunciation adj.
gar′ish•ly, adv.
gar′ish•ness, n.
- crudely or tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate, as clothes or decoration.
- excessively ornate or elaborate, as buildings or writings.
- dressed in or ornamented with bright colors.
- excessively bright;
glaring.
- Old Norse) + -ish1
- earlier gaurish, perh. equivalent. to obsolete gaure to stare (Middle English gauren 1535–45
gar′ish•ness, n.
- 1. loud, tawdry. See gaudy1.
'garishly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):