English Explanatory Dictionary

gewgaw

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A showy trifle, a toy; a showy trinket, ornament or decoration.
adj
  1. Showy; unreal; pretentious.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡjuːɡɔː/ /ˈɡ(j)uɡɔ/ /ˈɡ(j)uɡɑ/ en-us-gewgaw.ogg

Word forms

gewgaw gewgaws geegaw gew-gaw gee-gaw

Etymology

From earlier gugaw, gygaw, from Middle English givegove (“gewgaw, trifle”), a reduplication of Middle English give, geove (“gift”), from Old English giefu, geofu, geafu (“gift”), from Proto-Germanic *gebō (“gift”). Compare Icelandic gyligjöf (“showy gifts, gewgaw”). More at give.

Synonyms

gewgawish

Derived words

gewgawed gewgawry gewgawy Jew's harp
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