taw ‧ dry /ˈtɔːdri $ ˈtɒː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: tawdry lace 'necklace' (16-18 centuries) , from St. Audrey's lace , from St. Audrey 7th-century queen of Northumbria, England; because it was originally sold at fairs in honor of St. Audrey ]
1 . cheaply and badly made:
tawdry jewellery and fake furs
2 . showing low moral standards:
a tawdry tale of lies and deception
—tawdriness noun [uncountable]