zazzyadjective
Factsheet
What does the adjective zazzy mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zazzy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is used in U.S. English.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How is the adjective zazzy pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the adjective zazzy come from?
Earliest known use
1960s
The earliest known use of the adjective zazzy is in the 1960s.
OED's earliest evidence for zazzy is from 1961, in Encounter.
zazzy is of uncertain origin.
Nearby entries
- zarnich, n.1612–
- Zarp, n.1895–
- zarzuela, n.1888–
- zat, n.1934–
- zatch, n.1950–
- zawiya, n.1836–
- zawn, n.1865–
- zayat, n.1823–
- zayde, n.1946–
- zazen, n.1727–
- zazzy, adj.1961–
- Z band, n.1950–
- ZBB, n.1976–
- Z-bed, n.1973–
- Z-car, n.1961–
- Z-day, n.1925–
- Z-DNA, n.1979–
- ze, pron.1864–
- zea, n.1562–
- zeagonite, n.1823–
- zeal, n.a1382–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 1961–Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
- 1961
Death seemed to follow me through the zazzy carnival of Miami.
Encounter April 18/2 - 1971
The Chicago Sun-Times conceded, ‘Yessir! This one's zazzy.’
A. Hailey, Wheels xxviii. 393 - 1989
Tammy Magaha is looking for something ‘zazzy’, a special little number that will wow the judges in her upcoming pageant.
Washington Post 5 November (Magazine section) 13/1
- fine1526–Of dress: elaborate; showy; smart. Hence of a person: smartly or showily dressed (now chiefly in historical contexts).
- garish1545–Of dress, ornament, ceremonial, etc.: Obtrusively or vulgarly bright in colour, showy, gaudy.
- flaunting1567–Making an obtrusive display; showy, gaudy.
- gawish1567–1616Staring, gaping; showy, gaudy.
- taffety1597–1627figurative. Characterized by or characteristic of taffeta in some way; spec. finely or showily dressed. Obsolete.
- showful1607–Gaudy, ostentatious, showy.
- flaming1609–figurative. Highly coloured, highflown; startling, extravagant.
- flaring1610–Over-conspicuous, glaring, showy, gaudy; †extravagant, irregular. In later use as transferred from 4.
- over-brave1620–Too brave; imprudently brave; very brave (frequently in negative constructions). Also: †excessively splendid or showy (obsolete).
- showish1675–Striking or impressive in appearance; ostentatious; (also) displayed or performed for show; = showy, adj. 1.
- rantingc1685Of clothing: ostentatious, showy. Obsolete. rare.
- gaudy1709Brilliantly fine or colourful, highly ornate, showy. Now chiefly in disparaging sense: Excessively or glaringly showy, tastelessly fine or colourful.
- showy1712–Striking or impressive in appearance. Later esp.: visually striking in an ostentatious or pretentious way, esp. in being excessively bright, large…
- tinselled1738transferred and figurative; in later use often depreciative or contemptuous (cf. sense 2b).
- kicky1790–(See quot. 1808.) Also, clever, lively; provoking, teasing, annoying. Scottish.
- flaunty1796–Of things: Showy, gaudy.
- flashy1801–Showy, fine-looking; gaudy, glaring.
- slangish1813–Of, relating to, or suggestive of slang; characterized by the use or presence of very colloquial or informal language.
- florid1815–figurative. Profusely adorned as with flowers; elaborately or luxuriantly ornate. Often in somewhat… Of attire, manners, methods of procedure, etc…
- tigerish1831–Loud, flashy: cf. tiger, n. 7.
- flash1836–Gaudy, showy, smart. Of persons: Dashing, ostentatious, swaggering, ‘swell’. Also Flash Harry: see Harry, n.² I.2b.
- flary1841–Gaudy, showy.
- loud1850–Of colours, patterns, dress, manners, etc.: Vulgarly obtrusive, flashy. Opposed to quiet.
- flashy-looking1852–
- splurgy1852–Showy, ostentatious.
- cheesy1858–64Ostentatious or showy.
- flagrant1858–In occasional uses referring to the visible aspect of flame. Flaring, gaudy.
- jingo1859Perhaps: vulgar, showy, or flamboyant. Obsolete.
- cheesy1863–colloquial. Inferior, second-rate; bad, nasty. Now somewhat rare.
- orchidaceous1864–Resembling an orchid, esp. in being exotic, extravagant, or florid.
- la-di-da1874–Very or excessively refined in an upper-class way; affected, mannered, posh. Cf. lardy-dardy, adj.
- flamboyant1879–In loose and transferred use: Florid, floridly decorated.
- vociferous1883–figurative. With reference to colour, style, etc.: vulgarly obtrusive, flashy, gaudy. Cf. loud, adj. 5.
- voyant1906–Showy, gaudy, flashy; spec. of clothes, appearance, etc.
- grandstanding1908–That engages in grandstanding; characterized by attention-seeking; ostentatious, bombastic, showy. Cf. grandstand, v.
- floozy1911–U.S. regional. Originally: fashionable, stylish, fancy. In later use: showy, flashy, ostentatious. Now rare.
- ritzy1919–Stylish, glamorous, classy; ostentatious, gaudy.
- colloquial. like a (or the) dog's dinner: (of dress, etc.) ostentatious, flashy, or over-elaborate; (also) in an ostentatiously smart or flashy…
- plush horse1936–Ostentatiously luxurious or extravagant.
- kitsch1953–Esp. of art, objects, design, and entertainment: having popular appeal but considered to be vulgar, of low quality, or lacking artistic merit, esp…
- zazzy1961–Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
- pizzazz1969–Flashy, ostentatious; having pizzazz.
- rankOld EnglishShowy, ostentatious. Obsolete.
- peacockly?a1425–Ostentatious, peacockish.
- ruffling1531–1870Of conduct, speech, etc.: characterized by ruffling (in various senses: see ruffle, v.²); spec. swaggering, arrogant. Obsolete.
- garish1545–Of dress, ornament, ceremonial, etc.: Obtrusively or vulgarly bright in colour, showy, gaudy.
- peacockish1551–Like or characteristic of a peacock; ostentatious, vain.
- peacock-like1576–Like or characteristic of a peacock; ostentatious.
- ostentatious1590–Of actions, events, qualities, etc.: performed, exercised, or displayed in a manner calculated to attract attention or admiration; pretentious…
- fastuous?1591–Having or characterized by excessive pride, vanity, or self-importance; haughty, arrogant; pompous.
- flaring1593–1861Of the hair, etc.: Spreading out or waving conspicuously, flaunting. Of a mirror: Giving a bulging or enlarged outline; exaggerating. Obsolete.
- flantitanting1596Flaunting.
- ostentive1599–1736= ostentatious, adj.
- ostentative1601–= ostentatious, adj. (in various senses).
- showful1607–Gaudy, ostentatious, showy.
- flourishable1614Adapted to flourish or make a display.
- flourishing1616–Of persons and their actions: Boasting, swaggering, ostentatious.
- flaunting1624–Waving gaily or proudly like a plume or a banner.
- ostentous1624–87= ostentatious, adj.
- ostentatory1638–Intended to attract attention or admiration; = ostentatious, adj. 1.
- swasha1640–‘Swell’, ‘swagger’, showy. dialect.
- fanfaron1670–attributive or adj. Braggart, boastful.
- gallantish1675–Showy, stylish; (also) playful, flirtatious.
- paradeful1748–Full of display, ostentatious.
- ostensible1782–That presents itself to or is open to view; visible, noticeable; conspicuous, ostentatious. Now rare.
- epideictic1790–Adapted for display or show-off; chiefly of set orations.
- fandangous1797–Pompous, showy.
- flashy1801–Showy, fine-looking; gaudy, glaring.
- affiché1818–Characterized by flamboyant or showy display; extravagant, ostentatious. Cf. afficher, v. 1.
- show-off1818–That is a show-off (sense A.2); given to or characterized by showing off; ostentatious, showy. Also: sufficiently impressive, fashionable…
- splashing1820–Causing some stir or sensation; making something of a display.
- flaunty1825–Of persons: Given to display or show, ostentatious, vain.
- splash-and-dash1830–Making much fuss and show.
- pretentious1832–Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed; making an exaggerated outward display; ostentatious, showy.
- flash1836–Gaudy, showy, smart. Of persons: Dashing, ostentatious, swaggering, ‘swell’. Also Flash Harry: see Harry, n.² I.2b.
- splashy1836–Making a show or stir; attracting attention; sensational. Cf. splash, n.¹ 2d.
- pretenceful1841–Pretentious; ostentatious, pompous.
- swanky1842–Swaggering; ‘swagger’, pretentiously grand. Also, boastful. Of things: imposing, stylish, ‘posh’.
- peacocky1844–Resembling or suggesting a peacock, esp. in bearing or display; ostentatious, strutting.
- fantysheeny1847–Showy, fancy, or ostentatious.
- splurgy1852–Showy, ostentatious.
- cheesy1858–64Ostentatious or showy.
- pretensivea1868–Chiefly U.S. Pretentious, ostentatious, snobbish.
- duchessy1870–Like or of the nature of a duchess; abounding in duchesses.
- swagger1879–Showily or ostentatiously equipped, etc.; smart or fashionable in style, manner, appearance, or behaviour; ‘swell’.
- lavish1882–Of food, clothing, decoration, etc.: sumptuous, rich, luxurious, extravagant. Also transferred.
- splurging1884–
- show-offy1890–= show-off, n. B
- razzmatazz1900–Showy, ostentatious; glamorous, stylish; dazzling. Cf. razzle-dazzle, adj.
- show-offish1903–= show-off, n. B
- whoop-de-do1904–That makes a striking spectacle or creates a big impression; flashy, showy; impressive. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or…
- Ritz1908–Luxurious; ostentatious; = ritzy, adj. Now rare.
- split-arse1917–Forces' slang (originally Air Force slang). Classy, showy; (of an airman) reckless, that performs stunts; (of aircraft) having good manœuvrability.
- swanking1918–That swanks; boastful, ostentatious, pretentious.
- ritzy1919–Stylish, glamorous, classy; ostentatious, gaudy.
- fantoosh1920–Fancy, showy, flashy; stylish, sophisticated; fashionable, exotic. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or pretentiousness.
- knock-me-down1922–Such as to knock one down (literal or figurative); violent, riotous; overbearing, defiant; prostrating, overpowering.
- showboating1936–In early use: that performs on a showboat. Later: characterized by or given to performing or showing off, esp. in public; flamboyant, exhibitionist.
- showboat1939–colloquial. Characterized by or given to performing or showing off; ostentatious, exhibitionist.
- hellzapoppin'1945–Hectic, chaotic; extremely eventful, action-packed, exciting; ostentatious, flashy. Cf. pop, v.¹ 3e.
- zazzy1961–Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
- glitzy1966–Characterized by glitter or extravagant show; ostentatious, glamorous; hence, tawdry, gaudy; glitteringly spectacular, but in poor taste. Cf. glitt…
- sploshy1966–= splashy, adj.² 3.
- zhuzhy1968–Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.
- noncy1989–Pretentious, affected; overly fancy.
- bling1999–Ostentatious, flashy; designating flamboyant jewellery or dress. Also: that glorifies conspicuous consumption; materialistic.
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot