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Definition of Meretricious
1. Adjective. Like or relating to a prostitute. "Meretricious relationships"
2. Adjective. Tastelessly showy. "Tawdry ornaments"
Similar to: Tasteless
Derivative terms: Cheapness, Flash, Flashiness, Garishness, Garishness, Gaud, Gaudiness, Gaudiness, Loudness, Meretriciousness, Tackiness, Tat, Tawdriness, Trashiness
3. Adjective. Based on pretense; deceptively pleasing. "A meretricious argument"
Similar to: Insincere
Derivative terms: Meretriciousness, Speciousness
Definition of Meretricious
1. a. Of or pertaining to prostitutes; having to do with harlots; lustful; as, meretricious traffic.
Definition of Meretricious
1. Adjective. (obsolete) Of, or relating to prostitutes or prostitution. ¹
2. Adjective. Tastelessly gaudy; superficially attractive but having no substance; falsely alluring. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Meretricious
1. [adj]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Meretricious
Literary usage of Meretricious
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Trial Evidence: The Rules of Evidence Applicable on the Trial of Civil by Austin Abbott (1880)
"Marriage after meretricious Inter course."]—If the cohabitation is shown to have
commenced as a meretricious one, the mere continuance of cohabitation, ..."
2. Life in a New England Town, 1787, 1788: Diary of John Quincy Adams, While a by John Quincy Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1903)
"Knox,1 however, Is, I believe, too severe when he says that this writer by a
meretricious and affected stile far beneath the native dignity and simplicity ..."
3. Things Chinese: Being Notes on Various Subjects Connected with China by James Dyer Ball (1893)
"... added glories are borrowed from the meretricious charms of a debased and
idolatrous Buddhism until the whole system is transformed, ..."
4. Letter from Alexander Hamilton, Concerning the Public Conduct and Character by Alexander Hamilton (1800)
"... been wen by her meretricious caresses? Had KNOX, the uniform friend of Mr.
ADAMS, been corrupted by her seducing wiles ? Or was it all the dark work of ..."
5. Memories of a Musical Career by Clara Kathleen Rogers (1919)
"... CONCERTS — meretricious SYSTEMS — OLD FRIENDSHIPS RENEWED *\HE next thing to
be considered was how best to start our professional career in London. ..."
6. Bench and Bar: Reminiscences of One of the Last of an Ancient Race by Benjamin Coulson Robinson (1891)
"... on Perjury—Danger to Prisoner in making a Statement—The Maybrick Case—meretricious
Sentimentality —The Luxury of being talked about—Dilettante Lawyers— ..."
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