meretricious

Main Entry:
mer·e·tri·cious Listen to the pronunciation of meretricious
Pronunciation:
\ˌmer-ə-ˈtri-shəs\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Latin meretricius, from meretric-, meretrix prostitute, from merēre to earn — more at merit
Date:
1626

1: of or relating to a prostitute : having the nature of prostitution 2 a: tawdrily and falsely attractive b: superficially significant : pretentious
synonyms see gaudy
— mer·e·tri·cious·ly adverb
— mer·e·tri·cious·ness noun