zazzy, adj.

zazzy
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zazzy_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1993; not fully revised

# 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

/ˈzazi/
ZAZ-ee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzæzi/
ZAZ-ee

### 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

1. zarnich, n. 1612–
2. Zarp, n. 1895–
3. zarzuela, n. 1888–
4. zat, n. 1934–
5. zatch, n. 1950–
6. zawiya, n. 1836–
7. zawn, n. 1865–
8. zayat, n. 1823–
9. zayde, n. 1946–
10. zazen, n. 1727–
11. zazzy, adj.1961–
12. Z band, n. 1950–
13. ZBB, n. 1976–
14. Z-bed, n. 1973–
15. Z-car, n. 1961–
16. Z-day, n. 1925–
17. Z-DNA, n. 1979–
18. ze, pron. 1864–
19. zea, n. 1562–
20. zeagonite, n. 1823–
21. zeal, n. a1382–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of uncertain origin.
Of uncertain origin: perhaps < z- (in zippy adj.) + ‑azzy (in jazzy adj.); but compare also pizzazz n., sassy adj.1 & adv., and snazzy adj.

## Meaning & use

slang (chiefly U.S.).

1. 1961–
   Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
   1. 1961

      > Death seemed to follow me through the zazzy carnival of Miami.

      Encounter April 18/2
   2. 1971

      > The Chicago Sun-Times conceded, ‘Yessir! This one's zazzy.’

      A. Hailey, Wheels xxviii. 393
   3. 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
   U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. fine 1526–
      Of dress: elaborate; showy; smart. Hence of a person: smartly or showily dressed (now chiefly in historical contexts).
   2. garish 1545–
      Of dress, ornament, ceremonial, etc.: Obtrusively or vulgarly bright in colour, showy, gaudy.
   3. flaunting 1567–
      Making an obtrusive display; showy, gaudy.
   4. gawish 1567–1616
      Staring, gaping; showy, gaudy.
   5. taffety 1597–1627
      figurative. Characterized by or characteristic of taffeta in some way; spec. finely or showily dressed. Obsolete.
   6. showful 1607–
      Gaudy, ostentatious, showy.
   7. flaming 1609–
      figurative. Highly coloured, highflown; startling, extravagant.
   8. flaring 1610–
      Over-conspicuous, glaring, showy, gaudy; †extravagant, irregular. In later use as transferred from 4.
   9. over-brave 1620–
      Too brave; imprudently brave; very brave (frequently in negative constructions). Also: †excessively splendid or showy (obsolete).
   10. showish 1675–
       Striking or impressive in appearance; ostentatious; (also) displayed or performed for show; = showy, adj. 1.
   11. ranting c1685
       Of clothing: ostentatious, showy. Obsolete. rare.
   12. gaudy 1709
       Brilliantly fine or colourful, highly ornate, showy. Now chiefly in disparaging sense: Excessively or glaringly showy, tastelessly fine or colourful.
   13. showy 1712–
       Striking or impressive in appearance. Later esp.: visually striking in an ostentatious or pretentious way, esp. in being excessively bright, large…
   14. tinselled 1738
       transferred and figurative; in later use often depreciative or contemptuous (cf. sense 2b).
   15. kicky 1790–
       (See quot. 1808.) Also, clever, lively; provoking, teasing, annoying. Scottish.
   16. flaunty 1796–
       Of things: Showy, gaudy.
   17. flashy 1801–
       Showy, fine-looking; gaudy, glaring.
   18. slangish 1813–
       Of, relating to, or suggestive of slang; characterized by the use or presence of very colloquial or informal language.
   19. florid 1815–
       figurative. Profusely adorned as with flowers; elaborately or luxuriantly ornate. Often in somewhat… Of attire, manners, methods of procedure, etc…
   20. tigerish 1831–
       Loud, flashy: cf. tiger, n. 7.
   21. flash 1836–
       Gaudy, showy, smart. Of persons: Dashing, ostentatious, swaggering, ‘swell’. Also Flash Harry: see Harry, n.² I.2b.
   22. flary 1841–
       Gaudy, showy.
   23. loud 1850–
       Of colours, patterns, dress, manners, etc.: Vulgarly obtrusive, flashy. Opposed to quiet.
   24. flashy-looking 1852–
   25. splurgy 1852–
       Showy, ostentatious.
   26. cheesy 1858–64
       Ostentatious or showy.
   27. flagrant 1858–
       In occasional uses referring to the visible aspect of flame. Flaring, gaudy.
   28. jingo 1859
       Perhaps: vulgar, showy, or flamboyant. Obsolete.
   29. cheesy 1863–
       colloquial. Inferior, second-rate; bad, nasty. Now somewhat rare.
   30. orchidaceous 1864–
       Resembling an orchid, esp. in being exotic, extravagant, or florid.
   31. la-di-da 1874–
       Very or excessively refined in an upper-class way; affected, mannered, posh. Cf. lardy-dardy, adj.
   32. flamboyant 1879–
       In loose and transferred use: Florid, floridly decorated.
   33. vociferous 1883–
       figurative. With reference to colour, style, etc.: vulgarly obtrusive, flashy, gaudy. Cf. loud, adj. 5.
   34. voyant 1906–
       Showy, gaudy, flashy; spec. of clothes, appearance, etc.
   35. grandstanding 1908–
       That engages in grandstanding; characterized by attention-seeking; ostentatious, bombastic, showy. Cf. grandstand, v.
   36. floozy 1911–
       U.S. regional. Originally: fashionable, stylish, fancy. In later use: showy, flashy, ostentatious. Now rare.
   37. ritzy 1919–
       Stylish, glamorous, classy; ostentatious, gaudy.
   38. like a (or the) dog's dinner 1927–
       colloquial. like a (or the) dog's dinner: (of dress, etc.) ostentatious, flashy, or over-elaborate; (also) in an ostentatiously smart or flashy…
   39. plush horse 1936–
       Ostentatiously luxurious or extravagant.
   40. kitsch 1953–
       Esp. of art, objects, design, and entertainment: having popular appeal but considered to be vulgar, of low quality, or lacking artistic merit, esp…
   41. zazzy 1961–
       Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
   42. pizzazz 1969–
       Flashy, ostentatious; having pizzazz.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. rank Old English
      Showy, ostentatious. Obsolete.
   2. peacockly?a1425–
      Ostentatious, peacockish.
   3. ruffling 1531–1870
      Of conduct, speech, etc.: characterized by ruffling (in various senses: see ruffle, v.²); spec. swaggering, arrogant. Obsolete.
   4. garish 1545–
      Of dress, ornament, ceremonial, etc.: Obtrusively or vulgarly bright in colour, showy, gaudy.
   5. peacockish 1551–
      Like or characteristic of a peacock; ostentatious, vain.
   6. peacock-like 1576–
      Like or characteristic of a peacock; ostentatious.
   7. ostentatious 1590–
      Of actions, events, qualities, etc.: performed, exercised, or displayed in a manner calculated to attract attention or admiration; pretentious…
   8. fastuous?1591–
      Having or characterized by excessive pride, vanity, or self-importance; haughty, arrogant; pompous.
   9. flaring 1593–1861
      Of the hair, etc.: Spreading out or waving conspicuously, flaunting. Of a mirror: Giving a bulging or enlarged outline; exaggerating. Obsolete.
   10. flantitanting 1596
       Flaunting.
   11. ostentive 1599–1736
       = ostentatious, adj.
   12. ostentative 1601–
       = ostentatious, adj. (in various senses).
   13. showful 1607–
       Gaudy, ostentatious, showy.
   14. flourishable 1614
       Adapted to flourish or make a display.
   15. flourishing 1616–
       Of persons and their actions: Boasting, swaggering, ostentatious.
   16. flaunting 1624–
       Waving gaily or proudly like a plume or a banner.
   17. ostentous 1624–87
       = ostentatious, adj.
   18. ostentatory 1638–
       Intended to attract attention or admiration; = ostentatious, adj. 1.
   19. swash a1640–
       ‘Swell’, ‘swagger’, showy. dialect.
   20. fanfaron 1670–
       attributive or adj. Braggart, boastful.
   21. gallantish 1675–
       Showy, stylish; (also) playful, flirtatious.
   22. paradeful 1748–
       Full of display, ostentatious.
   23. ostensible 1782–
       That presents itself to or is open to view; visible, noticeable; conspicuous, ostentatious. Now rare.
   24. epideictic 1790–
       Adapted for display or show-off; chiefly of set orations.
   25. fandangous 1797–
       Pompous, showy.
   26. flashy 1801–
       Showy, fine-looking; gaudy, glaring.
   27. affiché 1818–
       Characterized by flamboyant or showy display; extravagant, ostentatious. Cf. afficher, v. 1.
   28. show-off 1818–
       That is a show-off (sense A.2); given to or characterized by showing off; ostentatious, showy. Also: sufficiently impressive, fashionable…
   29. splashing 1820–
       Causing some stir or sensation; making something of a display.
   30. flaunty 1825–
       Of persons: Given to display or show, ostentatious, vain.
   31. splash-and-dash 1830–
       Making much fuss and show.
   32. pretentious 1832–
       Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed; making an exaggerated outward display; ostentatious, showy.
   33. flash 1836–
       Gaudy, showy, smart. Of persons: Dashing, ostentatious, swaggering, ‘swell’. Also Flash Harry: see Harry, n.² I.2b.
   34. splashy 1836–
       Making a show or stir; attracting attention; sensational. Cf. splash, n.¹ 2d.
   35. pretenceful 1841–
       Pretentious; ostentatious, pompous.
   36. swanky 1842–
       Swaggering; ‘swagger’, pretentiously grand. Also, boastful. Of things: imposing, stylish, ‘posh’.
   37. peacocky 1844–
       Resembling or suggesting a peacock, esp. in bearing or display; ostentatious, strutting.
   38. fantysheeny 1847–
       Showy, fancy, or ostentatious.
   39. splurgy 1852–
       Showy, ostentatious.
   40. cheesy 1858–64
       Ostentatious or showy.
   41. pretensive a1868–
       Chiefly U.S. Pretentious, ostentatious, snobbish.
   42. duchessy 1870–
       Like or of the nature of a duchess; abounding in duchesses.
   43. swagger 1879–
       Showily or ostentatiously equipped, etc.; smart or fashionable in style, manner, appearance, or behaviour; ‘swell’.
   44. lavish 1882–
       Of food, clothing, decoration, etc.: sumptuous, rich, luxurious, extravagant. Also transferred.
   45. splurging 1884–
   46. show-offy 1890–
       = show-off, n. B
   47. razzmatazz 1900–
       Showy, ostentatious; glamorous, stylish; dazzling. Cf. razzle-dazzle, adj.
   48. show-offish 1903–
       = show-off, n. B
   49. whoop-de-do 1904–
       That makes a striking spectacle or creates a big impression; flashy, showy; impressive. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or…
   50. Ritz 1908–
       Luxurious; ostentatious; = ritzy, adj. Now rare.
   51. split-arse 1917–
       Forces' slang (originally Air Force slang). Classy, showy; (of an airman) reckless, that performs stunts; (of aircraft) having good manœuvrability.
   52. swanking 1918–
       That swanks; boastful, ostentatious, pretentious.
   53. ritzy 1919–
       Stylish, glamorous, classy; ostentatious, gaudy.
   54. fantoosh 1920–
       Fancy, showy, flashy; stylish, sophisticated; fashionable, exotic. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or pretentiousness.
   55. knock-me-down 1922–
       Such as to knock one down (literal or figurative); violent, riotous; overbearing, defiant; prostrating, overpowering.
   56. showboating 1936–
       In early use: that performs on a showboat. Later: characterized by or given to performing or showing off, esp. in public; flamboyant, exhibitionist.
   57. showboat 1939–
       colloquial. Characterized by or given to performing or showing off; ostentatious, exhibitionist.
   58. hellzapoppin' 1945–
       Hectic, chaotic; extremely eventful, action-packed, exciting; ostentatious, flashy. Cf. pop, v.¹ 3e.
   59. zazzy 1961–
       Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
   60. glitzy 1966–
       Characterized by glitter or extravagant show; ostentatious, glamorous; hence, tawdry, gaudy; glitteringly spectacular, but in poor taste. Cf. glitt…
   61. sploshy 1966–
       = splashy, adj.² 3.
   62. zhuzhy 1968–
       Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.
   63. noncy 1989–
       Pretentious, affected; overly fancy.
   64. bling 1999–
       Ostentatious, flashy; designating flamboyant jewellery or dress. Also: that glorifies conspicuous consumption; materialistic.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzazi/
ZAZ-ee

### U.S. English

/ˈzæzi/
ZAZ-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

zazzy, adj. was first published in 1993; not fully revised.

zazzy, adj. was last modified in July 2023.