ritz

American  

[rits] / rɪts /

noun

1. ostentatious or pretentious display.

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verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to treat with condescension; snub.

   The star ritzed the reporters and got bad press as a result.

idioms

1. put on the ritz, to live in elegance and luxury, especially to make an ostentatious show of one's wealth: Also put on the Ritz.

   They put on the ritz to impress their guests.

ritz British  

/ rɪts /

noun

1. to assume a superior air or make an ostentatious display

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Etymology

Origin of ritz

First recorded in 1925–30; after the Ritz hotels founded by César Ritz (died 1918), Swiss entrepreneur

Explanation

Ritz is something that's extremely fancy and glamorous. Some people like camping in the great outdoors, cooking hot dogs over a fire — others prefer the ritz of going on a fabulous shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. The words ritz and ritzy come from César Ritz, who opened several Ritz Hotels (™). If you're ever invited to a ritzy party, you'll want to dress up in your most luxurious clothes and prepare to enjoy delicious food and opulent decor. The informal adjective ritzy implies luxury that's a little over the top. It was coined around 1910, inspired by the famously elegant Ritz Hotels (™) that César Ritz opened starting internationally in the late 19th century. Because these hotels were so opulent, his last name came to be associated with elegance and luxury. It also inspired the phrase "putting on the ritz," or dressing fashionably. If everyone at your friend's fancy party is wearing ball gowns and tuxedos, you might say, "Wow, look at this ritz!"

Example Sentences

There, the pair put on the ritz for “The Cover’s Not the Book,” dancing with animated animals up and down a staircase made out of enormous books.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2018

Although there’s an unmistakable amount of ritz in John’s music, this three-hour retrospective proved that it had always been anchored in certitude.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2018

Silicon Valley is putting on the ritz for Romney.

From BusinessWeek • Dec. 7, 2011

It should get it from Paul Kerryson, artistic director of the Curve in Leicester, who's very good at putting on the ritz.

From The Guardian • Jun. 25, 2010

The swanky soiree for only 79 guests, certainly the hottest ticket in town, was a mixture of glitz and ritz, power and talent.

From Time Magazine Archive