kitsch

noun

1
: something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
2
: a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition
teetering on the brink of kitschRon Miller
kitschy adjective

Did you know?

Kitsch is an early 20th-century borrowing from German, and it refers to things in the realm of popular culture that are tacky, like car mirror dice, plastic flamingos, and dashboard hula dancers.

Examples of kitsch in a Sentence

The restaurant is decorated with 1950s furniture and kitsch from old TV shows.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aside from being eye-catching, Betsy gives you an idea of what to expect here: handmade crafts, contemporary artworks, and a fair bit of kitsch. Charlene Fang, AFAR Media, 14 Jan. 2025 For the seventh year, Carmel’s renowned holiday market offers a festive blend of Alpine cuisine, culture and kitsch at nearly 60 booths spread across Carter Green from now through Christmas Eve Day. Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Nov. 2024 Today, it is falsely derided as old-fashioned, fraudulent, or kitsch. airmail.news, 20 July 2024 Seemingly on the arm of every industry insider these past few fashion months, the Rodeo is minimalist by design, but has ample opportunity for kitsch and playfulness. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kitsch 

Word History

Etymology

German

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kitsch was in 1921

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near kitsch

Cite this Entry

“Kitsch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kitsch. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on kitsch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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