Advertisement
Advertisement
Other Words From
- pi·zazzy adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of pizazz1
Example Sentences
Sometimes, as in Ruby Neri’s bravura ceramic sculptures in the fair’s special 15th-anniversary ““15x15: Independent 2010-2024” exhibition, at Spring Studios in TriBeCa, visual pizazz hits a kind of critical mass, becoming substance in itself.
“The South was jealous of the North’s power. The North was jealous of the South’s pizazz and money and growth.”
Consider wavy, wood furniture that adds a bit of pizazz.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said former President Donald Trump is not the same presidential candidate as he once was, and one thing he’s missing — pizazz.
“I don’t think he’s got the same pizazz. Twenty-fifteen and ’16 was about America First.
Advertisement
More About Pizazz
What does pizazz mean?
Pizazz is an informal word for the energy, style, or flair that makes something dazzling or exciting. It’s that extra element that makes something really pop or sparkle.
Pizazz is an American slang term. If you say something has pizazz, you mean it’s impressive in an exciting, dynamic way. If you say something lacks pizazz, you mean it’s a little dull—it needs something to make it exciting or special.
Example: That dancer has great form, but I wish he had a little more pizazz.
Where does pizazz come from?
The first records of term pizazz are from the 1930s. The word is often attributed to Diana Vreeland, the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, but the origin of the term isn’t known for sure.
Pizazz is often associated with fashion and things that are visual, but it can be applied to many other things. Pizazz is used to describe the essence of something that’s stylish, vigorous, or engaging, as in That dress has got pizazz—look at all the bold details!
Just as often, pizazz is used in reference to the lack of it. In this way, it is used to suggest improvements in order to elevate something, as in The sign you made is nice, but it lacks pizazz. It needs something to really make it stand out.
In both cases, pizazz is an abstract element that may be hard to identify or describe. But when you add pizazz to something, it should be obvious. It should make something noticeably better or different, like adding a bold spice to a bland dish.
Did you know ... ?
How is pizazz used in real life?
Pizazz is used informally and usually in the context of a compliment or some constructive criticism.
Client requested no em dashes and no semi colons in content; naturally – my mind flips to the beautiful clauses these 2 underrepresented pieces of punctuation create. Like ice after a snow storm, the perfect pizazz to give life to an otherwise cold and glittery winter morning.
— Jessica Evans (@Writer_JessicaE) January 8, 2020
Great idea for a show but lacking pizazz. Dull. #LivingOnTheVeg
— 1littlelady (@1littlelady69) January 12, 2020
I wish people posted break up pics with the same pizazz as engagement photos
— Destiny (@DestinyKaleen) January 11, 2020
Try using pizazz!
Which of the following words is a synonym for pizazz?
A. boredom
B. pizza
C. dullness
D. pep
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse