jazz hands

American  

[jaz handz] / ˈdʒæz ˌhændz /

plural noun

1. especially in modern jazz dance, a movement in which the performer displays forward-facing palms and fully splayed fingers, usually with the hands waving rapidly: adopted in general as a spirited gesture of enthusiasm.

   I want perfect mastery of all the steps in this number before we move to the upper limbs, so keep your jazz hands to yourself.

   Excuse my parents—they were cheerleaders in college, so their jazz hands come out whenever they’re excited about something.

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Etymology

Origin of jazz hands

First recorded in 1920–25, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

But jazz hands and true crime aren’t the only titillations that will get fans to live shows.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

“Better Man” charts Williams’ childhood in Stoke-on-Trent, and he claims, “I came out of the womb with jazz hands, which hurt my mother,” hoping to get a laugh.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

"I wanted to have something that forced me to come out with jazz hands," he says.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2022

The musical theater valentine “Schmigadoon!” didn’t make Emmy voters whip out their jazz hands.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 12, 2022

She does finger-wiggling jazz hands and then moves into high knee lifts like in PE—with enough enthusiasm that I wonder if it’s possible for her knee to smash into her nose.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden