Gaudy vs. Gawdy — Which is Correct Spelling?

Gaudy or gaudie (from the Latin, "gaudium", meaning "enjoyment" or "merry-making") is a term used to reflect student life in a number of the ancient universities in the United Kingdom as well as other institutions such as Durham University and Reading University. It is generally believed to relate to the traditional student song, "De Brevitate Vitae" (On the Shortness of Life), which is commonly known as the Gaudeamus (Let's make merry) by virtue of its first word.

Extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless

A celebratory dinner or entertainment held by a college for old members

Showy in a tasteless or vulgar way.

A feast, especially an annual university dinner.

Very showy or ornamented, now especially when excessive, or in a tasteless or vulgar manner.

(obsolete) fun; merry; festive.

(archaic) One of the large beads in the rosary at which the paternoster is recited.

(Oxon) A reunion held by one of the colleges of the University of Oxford for alumni, normally held during the long vacation.

Ostentatiously fine; showy; gay, but tawdry or meretricious.

Gay; merry; festal.

One of the large beads in the rosary at which the paternoster is recited.

A feast or festival; - called also gaud-day and gaudy day.

A celebratory feast held annually at one of the colleges in a British university

Tastelessly showy;

(used especially of clothes) marked by conspicuous display