Here are some ways to think of "tawdry":
* Appearance: It suggests something that is overly decorated, often with bright, clashing colors or excessive embellishments. Think of a cheap costume jewelry or a tacky Christmas decoration.
* Quality: It implies a lack of substance or value. The thing itself might be flashy, but it's ultimately cheap and poorly made.
* Moral/Ethical: It can also refer to something that is morally questionable or low-class. Think of a sleazy nightclub or a scandal that is full of cheap gossip.
Examples:
* "She wore a tawdry necklace that looked like it was made of plastic."
* "The hotel room was decorated in a tawdry, over-the-top style."
* "The tabloid magazine was filled with tawdry gossip about the celebrities."
Essentially, "tawdry" is a negative word that suggests something is both visually unappealing and lacking in genuine worth.