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:
Renting a glitzy Manhattan apartment for half the market rate while raking in a six-figure salary is urban legend for most New Yorkers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna in May with Dara's catchy floor-filler "Bangaranga" sweeping the 70th edition of the glitzy TV extravaganza, meaning they will get to host next year's edition.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
Perhaps most important, the essays insist that leadership isn’t confined to the glitzy triumphs of the Oval Office.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
Each one becomes a part of the fabric of Fashion Week, but their disparate problems are a far cry from the glitzy event’s self-importance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
The lights go up, and what seemed glitzy and alive moments ago now seems like a shell of itself.
From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz
High-end restaurants are opening, and they’re getting glitzier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2025
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
Recently, a lack of new models has made it tougher for Tesla to take on rivals in China, where glitzier offerings from local players have weighed on demand.
From Reuters ● Jul. 19, 2023
The league’s new West Coast office and its glitzier setting reflect the N.F.L.’s ambition to be a player in the Los Angeles entertainment scene.
From New York Times ● Feb. 10, 2022
Since Abramovich’s purchase, Chelsea, the current European men’s soccer champion, has transitioned from being a relative also-ran to one of Britain’s glitzier and more successful sports teams.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 23, 2021
Documentary filmmakers are, generally speaking, not the glitziest figures in show business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 10, 2026
The glitziest exhibits belonged to the slot-machine manufacturers.
From Slate ● Nov. 18, 2025
Acapulco’s glitziest hotels and condominiums are mostly windowless hulks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2023
This weekend, Europe’s glitziest celebration of pop music, the Eurovision Song Contest, will celebrate its 66th year in Turin, Italy.
From BBC ● May 12, 2022
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
Definitions 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.
