zhuzhyadjective
Factsheet
What does the adjective zhuzhy mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zhuzhy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
How is the adjective zhuzhy pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the adjective zhuzhy come from?
Earliest known use
1960s
The earliest known use of the adjective zhuzhy is in the 1960s.
OED's earliest evidence for zhuzhy is from 1968, in the Stage.
zhuzhy is probably formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zhuzh n., zhuzh v., ‑y suffix1.
Nearby entries
- zeuxite, n.1836–
- zeze, n.1860–
- Zhdanovism, n.1958–
- Zhdanovist, adj.1966–
- Zhdanovite, adj.1957–
- zho, n.1841–
- zhomo, n.1841–
- zhuyin zimu, n.1938–
- zhuzh, n.1968–
- zhuzh, v.1970–
- zhuzhy, adj.1968–
- ziamet, n.1807–
- ziarat, n.1776–
- zibeline, n.1585–
- zibet, n.1594–
- zibet-muff, n.1685
- zibib, n.1836–
- ziczac, n.1844–
- zidovudine, n.1987–
- Ziegfeld, n.1913–
- Ziegler, n.1957–
Etymology
Meaning & use
- 1968–Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.In early use chiefly among gay men, apparently in Polari slang.
- 1968
Lady Bright is a brilliant creation—a wild, zhooshy quean.
Stage 25 April 13/2 - 1970
A zhooshy quean is a grand quean.
P. Burton, Lang. of their own: Polari, West End Homosexual Slang (typescript) (OED Archive) p. ii - 1993
Gareth wears a pillbox hat and a very zhuzhy jacket.
TV Quick 23 January (Central Region edition) 6/4 - 2007
I've got this new scarf I bought in Melbourne, so I looked, you know, zhooshy enough.
Daily Telegraph (Australia) (Nexis) 23 June 16 - 2018
My fave show of the year. It's just SO wonderful. Just the classiest, zhuzhiest, cleverest, most perfect..production.
@TinuCraig 22 December in twitter.com (accessed 7 May 2020)
- beglamoured1840–
- glamorous1881–Attractive or appealing in an exciting way, esp. because out of the ordinary or suggestive of a more colourful or thrilling way of life.
- glammy1936–Glamorous.
- oomphy1955–Strong, powerful; (esp. of a woman) sexy, glamorous.
- glam1956–Glamorous, esp. glamorously attractive or desirable. Cf. glamorous, adj. 2a.
- zhuzhy1968–Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.
- 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
Forms
Variant forms
- 1900s–zhooshy, zhoozhy, zhuzhy
- 2000s–jujy, zhushy