Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- pizazzy adjective
Etymology
Origin of pizazz
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; origin obscure
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Amazon’s lack of market pizazz belies a strong cloud business that looks set to accelerate in the months ahead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
This list barely scratches the surface of everything the city offers, but it highlights fine dining, once-in-a-lifetime meals and luxury experiences — a little pizazz to go alongside the Chicago staples you probably already know.
From Salon • Sep. 29, 2025
Watching Jessica age with such pizazz made Rebhun wonder: Why do some goldens succumb to cancer so young, while others, like Jessica, continue to go on walks and chase tennis balls well into their teens?
From Slate • Oct. 9, 2023
The Cowboys’ loss to Jacksonville after leading 27-10 in the second half took the pizazz out of the Christmas Eve clash with the Eagles.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2022
Last, I could crumble some of the Froot Loops on top of the vanilla icing, for some extra pizazz.
From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
