meretricious

 
Pronunciation: /ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs/

adjective

  • 1apparently attractive but having no real value: meretricious souvenirs for the tourist trade
  • 2 archaic relating to or characteristic of a prostitute.

Derivatives

meretriciously

adverb

meretriciousness

noun

Origin:

early 17th century: from Latin meretricius (adjective from meretrix, meretric- 'prostitute', from mereri 'be hired') + -ous