zizzy, adj.

zizzy
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zizzy_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zizzyadjective

## Earlier version

- zizzy, a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zizzy mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective zizzy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is used in British English.

### How common is the adjective zizzy?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1900 | 0.0002
1910 | 0.0003
1920 | 0.0003
1930 | 0.0002
1940 | 0.0002
1950 | 0.0003
1960 | 0.0003
1970 | 0.0003
1980 | 0.0002
1990 | 0.0003
2000 | 0.0003
2010 | 0.0003

### How is the adjective zizzy pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪzi/
ZIZ-ee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪzi/
ZIZ-ee

### Where does the adjective zizzy come from?

Earliest known use

1840s

The earliest known use of the adjective zizzy is in the 1840s.

OED's earliest evidence for zizzy is from 1843, in the writing of ‘Robert Carlton’ (real name Baynard Rush Hall).

zizzy is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zizz int., zizz n., ‑y suffix1.

### Nearby entries

1. Ziv, n. a1382–
2. zizania, n. 1526–
3. zizany, n. a1400–1803
4. zizel, n. 1775–
5. zizypha, n. 1546–1775
6. zizyphus, n.?1440–
7. zizz, v. 1883–
8. zizz, int. & n. 1824–
9. zizzing, n. 1884–
10. zizzing, adj. 1919–
11. zizzy, adj.1843–
12. Zlid, n. 1616–1785
13. Z'life, n. 1689
14. Z line, n. 1916–
15. Z-list, n. & adj. 1979–
16. Z-lister, n. 1999–
17. zloty, n. 1915–
18. Zn, n. 1814–
19. -zoa, comb. form
20. -zoan, comb. form
21. zoantharian, adj. & n. 1887–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zizz int., zizz n., ‑y suffix1.
Partly < zizz int. + ‑y suffix1, and partly < zizz n. + ‑y suffix1.

## Meaning & use

colloquial.

1. 1.
   1843–
   Characterized by or involving a buzzing or whizzing sound. Now rare.
   In quot. 1843 in figurative context.
   1. 1843

      > Conversation, where one is ardent and the other cold, becomes sissee or zizzy:—a dialogue between cold water and hot iron.

      ‘R. Carlton’, New Purchase vol. II. lx. 269
   2. 1903

      > The zippy, zoomy, zizzy note he [sc. a mosquito] sings as swift as he flies.

      Newark (Ohio) Daily Advocate 22 July 7/4
   3. 1964

      > That open, slightly ‘zizzy’ sound of a wide-range, high fidelity unit.

      Radio, Television & Hobbies (Australia) October 83/2
   colloquial and slang
   1. buzzing 1556–
      Making, or characterized by, a sibilant humming.
   2. zizzy 1843–
      Characterized by or involving a buzzing or whizzing sound. Now rare.
   3. buzzy 1871–
      Full of buzzing; buzzing.
   4. zithering 1889–
      Reminiscent of or involving a zither; buzzing, humming; (also) flickering, fluttering (cf. zither, v. 1b).
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. bumbling 1556–
      Designating a low humming, rumbling, or buzzing noise, like that of an insect.
   2. buzzing 1635–
      Said of sounds.
   3. bombinating 1847–
      That hums or buzzes. Also figurative.
   4. zizzy 1903–
      Characterized by or involving a buzzing or whizzing sound. Now rare.
   5. tizzy 1987–
      Of a sound: high-pitched and buzzing or distorted.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1966–
   Vibrant, lively, energetic. Cf. zizz n. B.2. Now chiefly British.
   1. 1966

      > And who's going to pay for ‘Danger Man’ with that zizzy Patrick McGoohan, then?

      Guardian 5 February 7/6
   2. 1976

      > My wife said I should wear a dark suit but I did risk a particularly zizzy tie.

      Times 4 October 7
   3. 1995

      > A question..of London being a lot more zizzy than Paris.

      Independent 20 May 29
   British English colloquial and slang
   1. gay?c1225–
      Bright or lively-looking, esp. in colour; brilliant, showy. Now dated.
   2. jolly c1380–1692
      Bright or colourful in appearance; brilliant, showy, splendid. Obsolete.
   3. gallant 1440–
      Of pleasing appearance; attractive, elegant, stylish; sumptuous, splendid. Frequently with reference to clothing. Chiefly archaic after 18th cent.
   4. show-worthy 1542–
      (Originally) deserving of display; fine or splendid in appearance; (later) of sufficient quality to be in a show, exhibition, etc.
   5. gaud-glorious 1555
      Very showy.
   6. brave 1568–
      Finely-dressed; = Sc. braw, adj. & n.; splendid, showy, grand, fine, handsome. (Rare in 18th cent.; in 19th cent. apparently a literary revival…
   7. of show 1580–
      of show: (as postmodifying phrase) suited for display; fine, splendid; (sometimes) spec. suited for display rather than use; merely decorative.
   8. gaudy 1583–
      Brilliantly fine or colourful, highly ornate, showy. Now chiefly in disparaging sense: Excessively or glaringly showy, tastelessly fine or colourful.
   9. braving 1600–49
      Showy, resplendent; high-sounding, stately.
   10. cavalier 1670
       Of things: Fine, ‘brave’, ‘gallant’. Obsolete.
   11. showish 1675–
       Striking or impressive in appearance; ostentatious; (also) displayed or performed for show; = showy, adj. 1.
   12. showy 1712–
       Striking or impressive in appearance. Later esp.: visually striking in an ostentatious or pretentious way, esp. in being excessively bright, large…
   13. braw 1724–
       = brave, adj. A.2; finely-dressed; splendid, showy.
   14. gingerbread-like 1764–
       a. (Of architecture, decoration, etc.) that is suggestive of the elaborate, often gaudy decoration associated with gingerbread; b. that resembles…
   15. gingerbread-gilt 1769–1890
       Reminiscent of or resembling the gilt decoration on gingerbread; excessively or ostentatiously decorated; showy, fancy.
   16. branky 1790–
       Showy, gaudy.
   17. viewy 1850–
       Originally slang. Pleasant or attractive in appearance; showy.
   18. cheesy 1858–64
       Ostentatious or showy.
   19. cheesy 1863–
       colloquial. Inferior, second-rate; bad, nasty. Now somewhat rare.
   20. jazzified 1920–
       That has been made to resemble jazz; that has been made jazzy (in various senses). Cf. jazzify, v.
   21. jazzed 1922–
       In extended use. Frequently with up. Of a thing: enlivened; made more interesting, exciting, or vibrant.
   22. zizzy 1966–
       Vibrant, lively, energetic. Cf. zizz, n. B.2. Now chiefly British.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. free c1300–
      Acting without restriction or limitation; showing a lack of moderation in doing something.
   2. unbridled c1374–
      figurative. Not restrained or held in check; absolutely uncontrolled or ungoverned. Of conduct, feeling, utterance, etc.
   3. riotous?1456–
      Noisy, tumultuous; unrestrained.
   4. liberal a1500–1874
      Free from restraint; speaking or acting freely; (in negative sense) unrestrained by prudence or decorum. Obsolete.
   5. unrestrained 1531–
      Not subjected (or subject) to restraint, esp. in respect of action or conduct; uninhibited; spontaneous, natural.
   6. libertine 1593–
      Free or unrestrained in disposition, behaviour, or language.
   7. relaxed 1623–
      Of a person: free from restraint or restriction; not strict or precise, esp. in observing a religious rule.
   8. long-waisted 1647–56
      figurative. Lax or casual in respect of principles or conduct; easy, loose. Obsolete.
   9. self-abandoning 1817–
      Involving or characterized by self-abandonment; self-abandoned.
   10. laissez-aller 1818–
       Absence of restraint; unconstrained ease and freedom.
   11. self-abandoned 1833–
       Involving or characterized by a lack of inhibition or restraint; (also) given up or devoted to an influence, passion, etc.
   12. uninhibited 1880–
       Not inhibited; unrestrained.
   13. un-Victorian 1908–
       Not characteristic of the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901); contrary to or not having the attitudes and values attributed to this time, esp…
   14. leggo 1943–
       slang (originally Jamaican). Out of control, wild. Chiefly in leggo beast (also lagobis) (derogatory): an animal that has got loose or gone wild…
   15. zizzy 1966–
       Vibrant, lively, energetic. Cf. zizz, n. B.2. Now chiefly British.
   16. loose 1968–
       Of persons, etc.: relaxed or easy, calm; uninhibited. Esp. predic. (quasi-adv.) in to hang (or stay) loose. slang (originally U.S.).
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪzi/
ZIZ-ee

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪzi/
ZIZ-ee

####

##### 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 /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### 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 /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### 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

## Frequency

zizzy typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

zizzy is in frequency band 1, which contains words occurring fewer than 0.001 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zizzy, adj., 1900–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1900 | 0.0002
1910 | 0.0003
1920 | 0.0003
1930 | 0.0002
1940 | 0.0002
1950 | 0.0003
1960 | 0.0003
1970 | 0.0003
1980 | 0.0002
1990 | 0.0003
2000 | 0.0003
2010 | 0.0003

zizzy, adj. was revised in March 2021.

zizzy, adj. was last modified in July 2023.