Entry 5 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913 Tacky /tăk'-ē/ · Tack·y · IPA /ˈtæki/ a. a. n. 01 a. Sticky; somewhat adhesive;; -- said of paint, varnish, etc., when not well dried. 1. Sticky; somewhat adhesive;; -- said of paint, varnish, etc., when not well dried.[U. S.] 02 a. Dowdy, shabby, or neglected in appearance; unkempt. 1. Dowdy, shabby, or neglected in appearance; unkempt.[Local, U. S.] 2. In poor taste; appearing cheap; gaudy; unstylish. Broadly used to describe objects whose style is disapproved of by the speaker. 3. Tactless; in poor taste; -- used to describe behavior. 03 n. An ill-conditioned, ill-fed, or neglected horse; also, a person in a like condition. 1. An ill-conditioned, ill-fed, or neglected horse; also, a person in a like condition.[Southern U. S.]