doozy

American  

[doo-zee] / ˈdu zi /

Or doozie

noun

plural

doozies

1. Also doozer something that is extraordinary or outstanding of its kind.

   The storm was a doozy, with winds of fifty miles an hour.

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verb phrase

1. doozy up to make more attractive or appealing, as by adding features or ornaments, cleaning or repairing, or clothing brightly.

   You'll have to doozy up the house before you can sell it.

doozy British  

/ ˈduːzɪ /

noun

1. slang something excellent

   the plot's a doozy

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Etymology

Origin of doozy

First recorded in 1925–30, of uncertain origin; sometimes associated with the Duesenburg, a luxury auto, though the variant dozy precedes the appearance of the car in 1920

Explanation

When something is really extraordinary, it's a doozy. You took so many photos of your adorable new puppy — you're sure to end up with some doozies! You can use this colloquial noun in a positive or negative way, whether you're admiring a doozy of a sunset or having another doozy of an argument with your twin sister. If it's a doozy, it's really unusual or even unprecedented, and well worth remarking on. Though doozy came first, around 1903, the luxury Duesenberg automobile was nicknamed "Duesy" in homage to the word.

Example Sentences

Investors are bracing for what could be a doozy of a trading session.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

"A capstone is intended to challenge students to integrate skills, function as an effective team and demonstrate their ability to solve real problems. And this problem was a doozy."

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

The storm is such a doozy that it qualifies as a nor’easter, a bomb cyclone and a blizzard, meteorologists said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

This year could be a doozy at the world’s most powerful central bank.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

“Can you imagine? What a doozy that would be.”

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling