ritzy

[rit-see]

adjective

Slang.

ritzier, ritziest 

1. swanky; elegant; posh.

   They bought a condo in a ritzy neighborhood.

   The fundraiser is going to be a ritzy gala affair downtown.

ritzy

/ ˈrɪtsɪ /

adjective

1. slang,  luxurious or elegant

Other Word Forms

• ritzily adverb
• ritziness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritzy¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1915–20, after the Ritz hotels founded by César Ritz (died 1918), Swiss entrepreneur; ritz, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Tickets cost just a penny when the train opened in 1901, offering commuters a practical way to navigate the steep terrain between ritzy Bunker Hill housing and downtown Los Angeles offices.

From Los Angeles Times

Shrugs one ritzy woman, “It stops them beating the Botox out of their wives.”

From Los Angeles Times

When residents of a ritzy West L.A. neighborhood experienced an increase in burglaries last year, they decided to invest in technology to fight the problem.

From Los Angeles Times

Our palm panoply extends to the ritzy Canary Island date palm, the pygmy date and windmill palms, and a mini-monarchy of queen and king palms, which look a little haphazardly asymmetrical.

From Los Angeles Times

You’ll end your sojourn along the ritzy marina of Newport Beach and Balboa Island.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opulent 
• plush 
• posh 
• stately 
• swank