gaud: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Rare / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Formal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “gaud” mean?
A cheap, showy ornament, piece of jewellery, or trinket.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cheap, showy ornament, piece of jewellery, or trinket.
Something that is showy, flashy, or gaudy in a tasteless way; also an old term for a trick or prank.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare and archaic in both varieties. No significant regional difference in usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations of cheap, flashy, and tasteless ornamentation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, with perhaps a marginal historical preference in British literature, but now effectively obsolete in common usage.
Grammar
How to Use “gaud” in a Sentence
[verb] + a gaud: He despised the gaud. / She was tricked by his false gauds.adjective + gaud: a tawdry gaudVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gaud” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The jester would gaud and mock the courtiers with his antics.
American English
- (Archaic in both; modern usage is virtually non-existent.)
adverb
British English
- (The adverbial form is 'gaudily', from 'gaudy'.)
American English
- (The adverbial form is 'gaudily', from 'gaudy'.)
adjective
British English
- (The adjective form is 'gaudy', not 'gaud'.)
American English
- (The adjective form is 'gaudy', not 'gaud'.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical, literary, or art criticism texts discussing ornamentation or taste.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gaud”
- Using it to mean any ornament.
- Using it in modern, informal contexts.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'gaudy' in sentence structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic or literary word. The adjective 'gaudy' is the common modern derivative.
All gauds are trinkets, but 'gaud' specifically implies the trinket is tastelessly showy, flashy, and cheap. 'Trinket' is more neutral.
Historically, yes, meaning to decorate gaudily or to trick. This usage is now completely obsolete.
It rhymes with 'awed' and 'laud' (/ɡɔːd/).
A cheap, showy ornament, piece of jewellery, or trinket.
Gaud is usually archaic, literary, formal/historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gauds and trumpery”
- “gauds and finery (archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GAWD-awful piece of cheap jewellery.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESSNESS IS SHINY TRASH / FALSENESS IS A GLITTERING FACADE
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'gaud'?