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clinquant

clinquant

1 9.9
Shiny with gold or silver and looking showy
  • adjective
  • /ˈklɪŋkwənt/
  • Archaic
: brillante
  • She wore a clinquant dress that shimmered in the candlelight.

Examples

  • The ballroom was adorned with clinquant decorations that dazzled the guests.

  • She wore a clinquant necklace that sparkled in the light.

  • Beneath the clinquant surface, the costume was actually quite simple and plain.

  • The dress was made of clinquant fabric that caught everyone's attention.

  • She wore a clinquant dress that shimmered in the candlelight.

  • The ballroom was adorned with clinquant decorations that dazzled the guests.

  • Beneath the clinquant surface, the costume was actually quite simple and plain.

Synonyms

glittering
vsclinquant
32 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

adds a tinsellike metallic and showy quality rather than plain shine
gaudy
vsclinquant
20 5.5

Very bright and showy in a way that looks bad

shares showiness but highlights metallic glitter rather than poor taste
glitzy
vsclinquant
11 4.8

A bright, showy look that tries to impress people

leans more toward metallic tinsel sparkle than generic flashiness
gilded
vsclinquant
10 6.3

Has a thin layer of gold or looks very rich

is more about sparkling metal shine than actual richness
lustrous
vsclinquant
1 6.3

Very famous and admired for great skill or success

is glossier and more surface oriented rather than showing deep inner glow
tinseled
vsclinquant
  • US
1 6.6

Covered with shiny thin strips that make it glitter

is similar but emphasizes gold or silver shimmer
dashy
vsclinquant
  • Informal
1 9.2

Attractive and stylish in a bold, showy way

is more about metallic glitter and superficial shine than fashion
tinselly
vsclinquant
1 7.4

Shiny and showy but cheap, like tinsel

is metallic sparkle that feels showy and shallow

Antonyms

30 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

19 3.5

Not shiny and showing little reflection

How Shiny

clinquant
  • Archaic
1 9.9
sparkling
33 1.3
glossy
31 2.6
shiny
304 1.0
dull
30 1.0

Surface Forms

clinquant positive

Etymology

Clinquant comes from the French verb clinquer, which means 'to clink' or 'to tinkle', like the small ringing of thin metal. So clinquant describes something that is glittering and showy, often more about bright shine than real worth.