How to pronounce tacky
Say it like TAK-ee. Tacky has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tacky. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAK
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tacky pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of tacky
American and British speakers say tacky in essentially the same way: /ˈtæki/ in the US and /ˈtæki/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAK-ee.
What does tacky mean?
- Of a substance, slightly sticky.“This paint isn't dry yet; it's still a bit tacky.”
- Of low quality.“That market stall sells all sorts of tacky ornaments.”
- In poor taste.“That was a tacky thing to say.”
- Gaudy or flashy.
- Alternative form of tackey.
Where does tacky come from?
From tack + -y.
Words that rhyme with tacky
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tacky.
Questions about saying tacky
How do you pronounce tacky?
Say TAK-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈtæki/. In British English it is /ˈtæki/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tacky?
Tacky has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAK). Broken into parts: TAK · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say tacky the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtæki/ and the British form is /ˈtæki/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.