jazz
n. · v.-
1 music style (n.) A2 Elementary Musica style of music that started in the United States, known for its strong rhythms and musicians making up parts as they play.
a musical genre originating in African American communities, characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and forceful rhythm.
ExampleWe spent the evening at a small club listening to live jazz.
ExampleThe festival showcases the evolution of jazz from its early blues roots to contemporary experimental fusion.
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2 similar things (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalother things that are similar to what you just mentioned.
miscellaneous related things or talk; often used in the phrase 'and all that jazz'.
ExampleHe told me about his new job, his car, and all that jazz.
ExampleThe brochure was full of promises about luxury, comfort, and all that jazz, but the actual resort was quite disappointing.
UsageCommonly appears in the fixed idiomatic expression 'and all that jazz'.
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3 to make more exciting (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalto make something more interesting, colourful, or exciting.
to enliven or improve the appearance or quality of something; typically used with the particle 'up'.
ExampleYou can jazz up a plain outfit with some bright jewellery.
ExampleThe marketing team decided to jazz up the presentation with interactive graphics to keep the investors engaged.
UsageAlmost always functions as a phrasal verb: 'jazz up'.
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4 to play music (v.) C1 Advanced Informal Musicto play jazz music or to dance to it.
to perform jazz music or engage in dance styles associated with the genre.
ExampleThe band started to jazz as the sun went down.
ExampleThe ensemble spent the night jazzing in the basement, oblivious to the noise complaints from the neighbours upstairs.
Unknown. First attested around 1912 in a discussion of baseball; attested in reference to music around 1915. Numerous references suggest that the term may be connected to jasm and jism.
- Nounjazz
- Adjectivejazzy