Jazz

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈd͡ʒæz/
• Rhymes: -æz

Origin

Etymology uncertain. Probably from the Irish teas.

Full definition of jazz

Noun

1. (music) A musical art form rooted in West African cultural and musical expression and in the African American blues tradition, with diverse influences over time, commonly characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms and improvisation.
2. Energy, excitement, excitability. Very lively.
3. The (in)tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a thing.What jazz were you referring to earlier?What is all this jazz lying around?
4. Unspecified thing(s).I'm just going down to the shops and jazz = I am off to purchase items and etcetera.
5. (with positive terms) Of excellent quality, the genuine article.That show was the jazz! = That musical concert/television program was most enjoyable.This risotto is simply the jazz. = This risotto was cooked in the classic manner.
6. Nonsense.Stop talking jazz.

Verb

1. To play jazz music.
2. To dance to the tunes of jazz music.
3. To enliven, brighten up, make more colourful or exciting; excite
4. To complicate.Don’t jazz it too much! = Be careful, it was good to start with!
5. (transitive, US slang, dated) To have sex with.
• 1931, William Faulkner, Sanctuary, Vintage 1993, page 59:‘Jazzing?’ Temple whispered .... ‘Yes, putty-face!’ the woman said. ‘How do you suppose I paid that lawyer?’
6. To destroy.You’ve gone and jazzed it now! = It is ruined.
7. To distract/pester.Stop jazzing me! = Leave me alone.

Related terms

• acid jazz
• jazzbo
• jazzer
• jazz up
• jazzy