pizazz

[ puh-zaz ]

noun

, Informal.

1. liveliness; vitality; vigor.
2. attractive style; dash; flair.

Other Words From

• pi·zazzy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pizazz¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; origin obscure

Example Sentences

As a specialization, supply chain studies never had the lucrative allure of finance or the pizazz of marketing.

From Quartz

Given that Battle Golf is the mode that offers the most in the way of visual pizazz — with lighting strikes and such — I feel like an opportunity was missed by not staking the action in a less generic-looking environment.

From Washington Post

This suggests that there is a little bit of a lack of pizazz tonight?

From The Daily Beast

More About Pizazz

What does pizazz mean?

Pizazz is an informal word for the energy, style, or flair that makes something dazzling or exciting. It’s that extra element that makes something really pop or sparkle.

Pizazz is an American slang term. If you say something has pizazz, you mean it’s impressive in an exciting, dynamic way. If you say something lacks pizazz, you mean it’s a little dull—it needs something to make it exciting or special.

Example: That dancer has great form, but I wish he had a little more pizazz.

Where does pizazz come from?

The first records of term pizazz are from the 1930s. The word is often attributed to Diana Vreeland, the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, but the origin of the term isn’t known for sure.

Pizazz is often associated with fashion and things that are visual, but it can be applied to many other things. Pizazz is used to describe the essence of something that’s stylish, vigorous, or engaging, as in That dress has got pizazz—look at all the bold details!

Just as often, pizazz is used in reference to the lack of it. In this way, it is used to suggest improvements in order to elevate something, as in The sign you made is nice, but it lacks pizazz. It needs something to really make it stand out.  

In both cases, pizazz is an abstract element that may be hard to identify or describe. But when you add pizazz to something, it should be obvious. It should make something noticeably better or different, like adding a bold spice to a bland dish.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of pizazz?

• pizzazz (alternate spelling, with an extra z for even more pizzazz)

What are some synonyms for pizazz?

• moxie
• verve
• oomph
• spunk

What are some words that often get used in discussing pizazz?

 

• style
• fashion
• extra
• design

How is  pizazz used in real life?

Pizazz is used informally and usually in the context of a compliment or some constructive criticism.

Client requested no em dashes and no semi colons in content; naturally – my mind flips to the beautiful clauses these 2 underrepresented pieces of punctuation create. Like ice after a snow storm, the perfect pizazz to give life to an otherwise cold and glittery winter morning.

— Jessica Evans (@Writer_JessicaE) January 8, 2020

Great idea for a show but lacking pizazz. Dull. #LivingOnTheVeg

— 1littlelady (@1littlelady69) January 12, 2020

I wish people posted break up pics with the same pizazz as engagement photos

— Destiny (@DestinyKaleen) January 11, 2020

 

 

Try using pizazz!

Which of the following words is a synonym for pizazz?

A. boredom
B. pizza
C. dullness
D. pep