French translation of tawdry is 
sordide

Meaning of "tawdry" in English

The word "tawdry" describes something that is cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality. It often refers to items that are flashy or showy but lack real value or taste. Typically, "tawdry" is used to critique the outward appearance or the ostentatious nature of objects, such as jewelry or clothing. It can also describe behavior or incidents that are considered morally distasteful or scandalous. The term carries a negative connotation, implying that there is a superficial allure but an underlying absence of refinement or substance.

Meaning of "sordide" in French

In French, "sordide" conveys a sense of moral or physical filth. It describes situations, places, or behaviors that are physically dirty, morally repugnant, or involve a degree of indecency or squalor. Often used to describe grim realities or sleazy circumstances, "sordide" implies an unpleasant atmosphere that may involve poverty, neglect, or scandal. Like the English "tawdry," it carries a negative connotation but is more focused on overall dirtiness or corruption rather than just poor quality or taste.

Pronunciation of "tawdry" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈtɔːdri/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "tawdry" remains relatively consistent across the English-speaking world, though slight variations may occur in regions with different accents. Most notably, differences might be heard between American and British accents, with the British version sometimes sounding slightly more enunciated.

Pronunciation of "sordide" in French

Phonetic Transcription: [sɔʁ.did]

Pronunciation Variations: "Sordide" is typically pronounced uniformly across various French-speaking regions, although slight variations might appear due to regional accents. The pronunciation is generally consistent with standard French, but some speakers might emphasize certain syllables or sounds slightly differently.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. Her living room was filled with tawdry souvenirs from her travels. (Son salon était rempli de souvenirs sordides de ses voyages.)
2. The novel was criticized for its tawdry plot and shallow characters. (Le roman a été critiqué pour son intrigue sordide et ses personnages superficiels.)
3. He wore a tawdry gold chain around his neck. (Il portait une chaîne en or sordide autour du cou.)
4. The tabloids spread tawdry stories about the celebrity's private life. (Les tabloïds ont répandu des histoires sordides sur la vie privée de la célébrité.)
5. The carnival had a tawdry charm that attracted many visitors. (Le carnaval avait un charme sordide qui attirait de nombreux visiteurs.)
6. Her dress was adorned with tawdry sequins that fell off easily. (Sa robe était ornée de paillettes sordides qui tombaient facilement.)
7. The market was full of tawdry trinkets sold to tourists. (Le marché était plein de babioles sordides vendues aux touristes.)
8. His eagerness to gossip gave him a tawdry reputation among his peers. (Son empressement à colporter des ragots lui a donné une réputation sordide parmi ses pairs.)
9. The film’s plot was too tawdry for most critics to take seriously. (L'intrigue du film était trop sordide pour que la plupart des critiques la prennent au sérieux.)
10. She felt embarrassed by the tawdry decorations at the party. (Elle s'est sentie embarrassée par les décorations sordides de la fête.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "tawdry" in English

Synonyms: gaudy, flashy, cheap, garish, kitschy, vulgar, tacky, showy, shabby, meretricious.

Antonyms: tasteful, elegant, refined, sophisticated, classy, subdued, simple, modest.

Similar Words: ostentatious, lurid, trite, cheap-looking, flamboyant, sleazy, uncouth.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "sordide" in French

Synonyms: sale, vil, dégradant, abject, ignoble, répugnant, infect, obscène, grossier, crasseux.

Antonyms: propre, noble, vertueux, admirable, digne.

Similar Words: dégoûtant, malsain, impur, corrompu, indécent, vulgaire.

Disclaimer: These examples may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Translate.com, or its company Translate LLC. We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to our team.