ritz

[ rits ]

noun

1. ostentatious or pretentious display.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to treat with condescension; snub:

   The star ritzed the reporters and got bad press as a result.

ritz

/ rɪts /

noun

1. put on the ritz
   to assume a superior air or make an ostentatious display

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritz¹

First recorded in 1925–30; after the Ritz hotels founded by César Ritz (died 1918), Swiss entrepreneur

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritz¹

from the luxury hotels created by the Swiss hotelier César Ritz (1850–1918)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. put on the ritz, Informal. to live in elegance and luxury, especially to make an ostentatious show of one's wealth: Also put on the Ritz.

   They put on the ritz to impress their guests.

Example Sentences

There, the pair put on the ritz for “The Cover’s Not the Book,” dancing with animated animals up and down a staircase made out of enormous books.

From Los Angeles Times

Although there’s an unmistakable amount of ritz in John’s music, this three-hour retrospective proved that it had always been anchored in certitude.

From Washington Post

It encompasses Miami Beach ritz and a poor minority population that lives nearby—but the latter are mostly Cuban Americans who, unlike members of other minority communities, reliably vote Republican.

From BusinessWeek

It encompasses plenty of Miami Beach ritz and a poor minority population that lives nearby—but the latter are mostly Cuban Americans who, unlike members of other minority communities, reliably vote Republican:

From BusinessWeek

Putting on the ritz And while fine dining has been one of the hardest-hit areas, there are still some bright spots.

From Chicago Tribune