# jazz

/ˈdʒæz/ (US) · /dʒˈæz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jazz
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. music style

noun · CEFR A2

a style of music that started in the United States, known for its strong rhythms and musicians making up parts as they play.

For teachers: a musical genre originating in African American communities, characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and forceful rhythm.

- We spent the evening at a small club listening to live jazz.
- The festival showcases the evolution of jazz from its early blues roots to contemporary experimental fusion.

### 2. similar things

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

other things that are similar to what you just mentioned.

For teachers: miscellaneous related things or talk; often used in the phrase 'and all that jazz'.

- He told me about his new job, his car, and all that jazz.
- The brochure was full of promises about luxury, comfort, and all that jazz, but the actual resort was quite disappointing.

Usage: Commonly appears in the fixed idiomatic expression 'and all that jazz'.

### 3. to make more exciting

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to make something more interesting, colourful, or exciting.

For teachers: to enliven or improve the appearance or quality of something; typically used with the particle 'up'.

- You can jazz up a plain outfit with some bright jewellery.
- The marketing team decided to jazz up the presentation with interactive graphics to keep the investors engaged.

Usage: Almost always functions as a phrasal verb: 'jazz up'.

### 4. to play music

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to play jazz music or to dance to it.

For teachers: to perform jazz music or engage in dance styles associated with the genre.

- The band started to jazz as the sun went down.
- The ensemble spent the night jazzing in the basement, oblivious to the noise complaints from the neighbours upstairs.

## Examples

- She loves listening to jazz while she cooks dinner.
- The band played smooth jazz all night, occasionally stopping for a long saxophone solo.
- While the festival focuses on traditional jazz, it also incorporates modern fusion acts that blend electronic beats with classic brass arrangements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.