adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ mer- ə - ' tri-sh ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin meretricius, from meretric-, meretrix prostitute, from mer ē re to earn ― more at MERIT
Date: 1626
1 : of or relating to a prostitute : having the nature of prostitution < meretricious relationships>
2 a : tawdrily and falsely attractive <the paradise they found was a piece of meretricious trash ― Carolyn See> b : superficially significant : PRETENTIOUS <scholarly names to provide fig-leaves of respectability for meretricious but stylish books ― Times Lit. Supp. >
synonyms see GAUDY
– mer · e · tri · cious · ly adverb
– mer · e · tri · cious · ness noun