glitzy
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of glitzy
First recorded in 1965–70; probably from Yiddish glitz “glitter,” from German glitzern “to glitter” + -y 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Something that's glitzy is very flashy and flamboyant, like the glitzy outfit you wear to the prom: a hot pink suit covered in shiny purple sequins. Glitzy is from glitz, or "glitter" in Yiddish, and the German root glitzern, "sparkle," and it's perfect for describing glittery, sparkly things. You might imagine Oscar parties as glitzy events (and show business itself as a glitzy industry). But there's also an undercurrent of gaudiness implied in the word — an inappropriate amount of glitter and shine: "Can you believe that glitzy outfit he wore to the funeral?"
Vocabulary lists containing glitzy
Elf Dog and Owl Head
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Off the Record
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Saints of the Household
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That conception of Elvis has also faded in recent years, in no small part thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s glitzy, campy 2022 biopic.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
The schisms at Westish are mirrored in Pella’s deteriorating relationship with Mike, which collapses during Owen’s glitzy destination wedding on Block Island, R.I.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
The bot ostensibly draws on technology from Google’s Gemini chatbot and Grok, Elon Musk’s A.I. assistant, and the administration unveiled it at a glitzy rollout styled to look like a Silicon Valley product launch.
From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2026
Swift also received the inaugural award for artist director, having written and directed the glitzy and theatrical Ophelia music video herself.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Or they took up positions in the glitzy new downtown hotels and restaurants, waiting on tables and cleaning floors.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
For one thing, young people are opting to work at private-equity firms, high-frequency trading desks and other glitzier jobs where coffee serves as fuel, not product.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
“William has tended toward less of the day-to-day routine work of the monarchy, compared to his father, instead focusing on bigger, glitzier engagements,” said Ed Owens, a royal historian.
From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2024
American Family Field, home of the Brewers, opened in 2001 during the peak of the last round of nationwide stadium construction, as cities replaced multipurpose facilities with glitzier sport-specific structures.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
A lack of new models has also made it tougher for Tesla to take on rivals in China, where an uneven economic recovery and fresher, glitzier offerings from local players have weighed on demand.
From Reuters ● Jul. 17, 2023
Whether you bought your purse on the other, glitzier side of Canal Street or from one of the shady guys right outside, you’ve wound up here at this Starbucks because you’re human.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 15, 2023
The rest of the basketball world has spent the entire season wondering whether this is the end of James’s eight-year partnership with the NBA’s glitziest franchise—his longest consecutive stint with a single team.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026
The glitziest exhibits belonged to the slot-machine manufacturers.
From Slate ● Nov. 18, 2025
And whether you watched the show live or are just catching up, there was much to learn from Hollywood’s glitziest night.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2025
Towards the end of the ceremony, the star's live performance of Von Dutch and Guess saw her transform the biggest and glitziest night in music into a packed and sweaty nightclub.
From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2025
Gia ran her fingertips over the pocket watches on the counter of Fournier's Curious Clockwork Shop in the glitziest area of Betelmore's high street.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
