How Do You Spell MERETRICIOUS?

Pronunciation: [mˌɛɹɪtɹˈɪʃəs] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "meretricious" may be challenging for some due to its Latin roots; however, it can be easily deciphered with knowledge of the IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs/. The first syllable "meri" is pronounced like "merry," followed by "-tri-" which is pronounced as "trih." The final "-cious" is pronounced as "shus." With this knowledge, one can successfully spell and pronounce the word meretricious. Its use in English refers to something that is flashy or attractive but lacking in substance.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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MERETRICIOUS Meaning and Definition

  1. Meretricious is an adjective that describes something that appears attractive or appealing on the surface, but is ultimately lacking in real value, substance, or true worth. It refers to a quality or characteristic that is showy, flashy, or ostentatious, designed to grab attention or impress others, but is deceiving and lacks any genuine or intrinsic merit.

    The term is often used to describe things that seem attractive or valuable at first glance, but upon further examination or scrutiny, prove to be superficial or shallow. Whether used to describe objects, people, or actions, meretricious implies an element of fakeness, exaggeration, or insincerity.

    For instance, in the context of material possessions, meretricious might refer to gaudy and ostentatious jewelry that may catch the eye but lacks any true craftsmanship or genuine quality. Similarly, in describing a person's behavior, it might suggest an insincere or insincere action undertaken solely for the purpose of gaining attention or admiration.

    Overall, meretricious serves as a cautionary term, warning against the dangers of superficiality, deceit, and the masking of true worth or value. It suggests the importance of looking beyond the shallow appearances and seeking genuine substance and worth in objects, people, or actions.

  2. That is practised by harlots; alluring by false show; having a gandy but deceitful appearance.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for MERETRICIOUS

Etymology of MERETRICIOUS

The word "meretricious" comes from the Latin word "meretricius", which means "of or pertaining to a prostitute". It is derived from the Latin word "meretrix", meaning "prostitute" or "hired girl". Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to include the notion of something attractive in a flashy or superficial way. Today, "meretricious" is used to describe things that appear attractive or valuable but are actually of little or no real worth.

Similar spelling words for MERETRICIOUS

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Correct spelling for meretricious
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