Word of the Day, October 20: ‘Meretricious’

Word of the Day: MERETRICIOUS

Pronunciation: UK /ˌmer.ɪˈtrɪʃ.əs/
US /ˌmer.əˈtrɪʃ.əs/

Meaning

Meretricious is an adjective used to describe something that looks attractive, impressive or convincing but has little real value or substance. It can also describe behaviour or praise that is insincere or intended to mislead.

Examples for daily usage

• The hotel lobby was full of meretricious decorations that looked expensive but felt cheap.
• The politician's speech was full of meretricious promises that offered little real help.
• She was unimpressed by his meretricious charm and wanted to see his true character.

Origin and history

Meretricious entered English in the 17th century, with its earliest recorded use dating to the 1620s. It comes from the Latin meretricius, meaning “of or relating to a prostitute”, which derives from meretrix. This Latin word is connected to merere, meaning “to earn” or “to gain”.

The word's meaning later developed to describe something gaudily attractive or appealing through false appearances. Today, it is mainly used to criticise things that seem valuable or impressive but lack substance.

Also Read: Word of the Day, October 19: ‘Labyrinth’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

The word is often used in literary criticism, journalism and discussions of art, fashion and politics. A writer might describe a film as meretricious if it relies on flashy visuals rather than a meaningful story. Similarly, an argument may be called meretricious if it sounds persuasive but rests on weak reasoning.

It is a distinctly critical word. Calling something meretricious suggests that its appeal is superficial and may even be deliberately misleading.

Interesting facts

Meretriciously is the adverb form.

Meretriciousness is the noun form, referring to the quality of being meretricious.

Despite its resemblance to the word merit, meretricious usually carries a negative meaning. The two words share a historical connection through Latin, but their modern meanings are quite different.

Examples from literature

• “I have seen in his face a far different expression from that which hardens it now while she is so vivaciously accosting him; but then it came of itself: it was not elicited by meretricious arts and calculated manoeuvres.”— Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
• “the service of vast, vulgar and meretricious beauty.”— F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Synonyms

• Gaudy
• Flashy
• Tawdry
• Showy
• Superficial
• Insincere
• Specious

Antonyms

• Genuine
• Sincere
• Authentic
• Substantial
• Meaningful
• Unpretentious

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