jazz

[jaz]

noun

1. music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom, and a harmonic idiom ranging from simple diatonicism through chromaticism to atonality.

2. a style of dance music, popular especially in the 1920s, arranged for a large band and marked by some of the features of jazz.

3. dancing or a dance performed to such music, as with violent bodily motions and gestures.

4. Slang.,  liveliness; spirit; excitement.

5. Slang.,  insincere, exaggerated, or pretentious talk.

   Don't give me any of that jazz about your great job!

6. Slang.,  similar or related but unspecified things, activities, etc..

   He goes for fishing and all that jazz.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of jazz.

verb (used with object)

1. to play (music) in the manner of jazz.

2. Informal.

   1. to excite or enliven.

   2. to accelerate.

3. Slang: Vulgar.,  to copulate with.

verb (used without object)

1. to dance to jazz music.

2. to play or perform jazz music.

3. Informal.,  to act or proceed with great energy or liveliness.

4. Slang: Vulgar.,  to copulate.

verb phrase

1. jazz up

   1. to add liveliness, vigor, or excitement to.

   2. to add ornamentation, color, or extra features to, in order to increase appeal or interest; embellish.

   3. to accelerate.

jazz

/ dʒæz /

noun

1. 1. a kind of music of African-American origin, characterized by syncopated rhythms, solo and group improvisation, and a variety of harmonic idioms and instrumental techniques. It exists in a number of styles Compare blues See also bebop bop 1 Dixieland free hard bop harmolodics mainstream modern jazz New Orleans jazz swing trad

   2. ( as modifier )

      a jazz band

   3. ( in combination )

      a jazzman

2. informal,  enthusiasm or liveliness

3. slang,  rigmarole; paraphernalia

   legal papers and all that jazz

4. slang,  sexual intercourse

5. slang,  a dance

verb

1. (intr) to play or dance to jazz music

2. slang,  to have sexual intercourse with (a person)

jazz

1. A form of American music that grew out of African-Americans' musical traditions at the beginning of the twentieth century. Jazz is generally considered a major contribution of the United States to the world of music. It quickly became a form of dance music, incorporating a “big beat” and solos by individual musicians. For many years, all jazz was improvised and taught orally, and even today jazz solos are often improvised. Over the years, the small groups of the original jazz players evolved into the “Big Bands” (led, for example, by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller), and finally into concert ensembles. Other famous jazz musicians include Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Other Word Forms

• jazzer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jazz¹

1905–10, 1915–20 jazz for def. 5; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of jazz¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In 2010, a Super Bowl in Miami — home of salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz — gave us the Who ... who are also from England.

From Los Angeles Times

The tour comes hot on the heels of Gaga's latest album, Mayhem, widely regarded as a return to high-concept pop after a spell of method acting and jazz crooning.

From BBC

Gustavo Dudamel isn’t famous for his prowess as a jazz musician, but when forces beyond his control threw a wrench into his plans for concerts this week at the Hollywood Bowl, the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Tense discussions of life-altering events are matched by the diegetic decibels of smooth jazz or string symphonies.

From Salon

He was not a musician himself but he loved jazz — straight-ahead and Dixieland — and swing most of all.

From Los Angeles Times