Gaudy and gawdy are different spellings of the same word. Gaudy is recommended by most dictionaries and usage guides, but gawdy is listed as an accepted variant. In either spelling, the word means showy in a tasteless or vulgar way, and our theory is that the unsanctioned gawdy stays in the language because that w makes it a gaudier word than gaudy.
Examples
A few publications prefer gawdy with a w:
But before all the gawdy reflections in the yuletide mirror fragment and filter away, let me ask you this … [Milford Mercury]
And the classy black and white shot for the single … is a huge change from her usual bright and gawdy look. [The Sun]
But most play it safe by using the dictionary-approved gaudy:
Unionized city employees aren’t the only ones with gaudy retirement packages. [Miami Herald]
Diouf’s gaudy machines will cause a stir in genteel Milngavie when he rolls up to training at Gers’ Murray Park complex. [Scottish Daily Record]
Dubai’s infrastructure, relative liberalism and gaudy villas may make it the natural investment banking hub for the Arab world … [Financial Times]
