fizz

American  

[fiz] / fɪz /

verb (used without object)

1. to make a hissing or sputtering sound; effervesce.

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noun

1. a fizzing sound; effervescence.

2. soda water or other effervescent water.

3. an iced mixed drink made of liquor, lemon juice, sugar, and soda.

   gin fizz.

4. British Informal. champagne.

fizz British  

/ fɪz /

verb

1. to make a hissing or bubbling sound

2. (of a drink) to produce bubbles of carbon dioxide, either through fermentation or aeration

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noun

1. a hissing or bubbling sound

2. the bubbly quality of a drink; effervescence

3. any effervescent drink

Usage

What does fizz mean? Fizz is a bubbliness or bubbly quality, like the kind in a carbonated drink. A much more formal word for this is effervescence.Fizz can also refer to the kind of hissing sound that such bubbliness makes or to the kind of drink that’s known for having fizz, like soda (pop), seltzer, and soda water (which is sometimes called fizzwater).More specifically, the word fizz can refer to an alcoholic mixed drink containing liquor, fruit juice, sugar, and club soda. A classic example is a gin fizz.Fizz is also a British slang term for champagne, which is known for bubbliness (it’s sometimes called bubbly for the same reason).Fizz can also be used as a verb meaning to make a bubbling or hissing noise or to produce bubbles, as in That soda bottle may fizz a bit when you open it. Something that’s bubbly or fizzing can be described with the adjective fizzy.Example: I like how the fizz tickles my nose as I’m drinking.

Other Word Forms

• fizzer noun
• fizziness noun
• fizzy adjective

Etymology

Origin of fizz

First recorded in 1655–65; back formation from fizzle

Example Sentences

Glamorously writing under the byline Genêt, she filled her dispatches with more fizz than champagne.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

A class of seven and eight-year-olds fizz with excitement, with no real idea about the comedy timing, over-the-top baddies and "behind you" jokes ahead of them.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

Using fresh, seasonal ingredients can transform a nonalcoholic drink from a self-imposed alternative into something that feels special, whether it’s a persimmon gin fizz or a spiced whiskey sour.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

The idea is simple: As the weight on the volcanoes is lifted, the gases trapped in magma are released like the fizz in an uncorked bottle of champagne, driving eruptions.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 2, 2024

All the fizz went out of Miss Winthrop.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine