The word "garish" is spelled /ˈɡærɪʃ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It means excessively bright or showy, typically in an exaggerated or unattractive way. The "g" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound like in "get," while the "a" is pronounced with a short "a" sound like in "cat." The "r" is pronounced with a slight rolling sound, and the "i" is pronounced with a short "i" sound like in "it." Finally, the "sh" sound is produced by placing the tongue behind the upper front teeth and blowing air out.
Garish is an adjective that describes something excessively showy, loud, or gaudy, usually referring to color, design, or style. It is often used to express disapproval or criticism toward a visually overwhelming or tasteless appearance. Items that are garish are typically characterized by bright, bold, or inharmonious combinations of colors, patterns, or shapes that lack elegance or subtlety.
This term can be applied to various objects, such as clothing, accessories, interior decor, or art. For instance, a garish outfit may involve clashing colors, excessive embellishments, or flamboyant prints that draw attention in an unpleasant or tacky manner. Similarly, a garish painting might overwhelm the viewer with its jarring palette, busy composition, or lack of visual coherence.
Garish is subjective, as what one person finds distasteful, others may find appealing or vibrant. However, it generally indicates a lack of refinement or aesthetic balance. The term is often associated with excessive and ostentatious displays, implying a certain vulgarity or lack of sophistication in the item's design or presentation.
In summary, garish refers to an overwhelming, ostentatious, or tasteless appearance that is often characterized by loud or clashing colors, excessive patterns, or gaudy embellishments. It conveys a negative connotation and implies a lack of refinement or subtlety in the design or style of an object.
Staring; glaring; showy; extravagantly gay.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "garish" originated in the late 15th century. The etymology of "garish" can be traced back to the Middle English word "gawen" or "gaw", meaning to stare or gape. This word developed from the Old Norse "gá" meaning heedlessness or indifference. Over time, the term "garish" evolved to describe something excessively showy, flashy, or tastelessly bright, referring to things that catch attention or cause people to stare.