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 <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 Literary Supplement>
synonyms see gaudy
— mer·e·tri·cious·ly adverb
— mer·e·tri·cious·ness noun