Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Ostentatious showiness; flashiness.
  • transitive verb To invest with an ostentatiously showy quality.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun garish, brilliant showiness

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun tasteless showiness

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Back-formation from glitzy, flashy, showy, probably from German glitzern, to glitter, from Middle High German glitzen, to shine, from Old High German glīzan; see ghel- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Back-formation from glitzy, in turn from German glitzern ("glint"). Cognate with Old Norse glitra/glita ("glitter") and Gothic 𐌲𐌻𐌹𐍄𐌼𐌿𐌽𐌾𐌰𐌽 (glitmunjan, "glisten").

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Examples

  • In fact, the term glitz was once associated with what has been referred to as 'Polish taste' or 'Jewish taste' - very politically incorrect terms nowadays...so always say glitz instead - unless you are ever on Letterman or Oprah.

    Archive 2006-10-01 Terry Nelson 2006

  • In fact, the term glitz was once associated with what has been referred to as 'Polish taste' or 'Jewish taste' - very politically incorrect terms nowadays...so always say glitz instead - unless you are ever on Letterman or Oprah.

    Kitschie, kitschie, ya ya da da... Terry Nelson 2006

  • Troesh says in his press information, that as an actor/writer/director with a disability, he's learned to use comedy to show his truth, how he succeeds in a world where glitz is often chosen over substance.

    "The Hollywood Quad" is ready for his close-up BA Haller 2008

  • But underneath the glitz is a bunch of working stiffs who are either just trying to get the job done, or hacks who get their original ideas by ripping off other hacks.

    Cracked: All Posts 2010

  • "I was contacted by 'Toddlers & Tiaras' because they found out Madi does glitz, which is a different pageant than what we do around home," said her mother, Heather Wooldridge.

    seMissourian.com Headlines 2009

  • "I was contacted by 'Toddlers & Tiaras' because they found out Madi does glitz, which is a different pageant than what we do around home," said her mother, Heather Wooldridge.

    seMissourian.com Headlines 2009

  • She loved the "glitz" that came with her fund - raising work, and was proud of the fact she had met celebrities, members of the royal family and government ministers, and was the subject of a BBC documentary, Nicole's Story, in 2009.

    Nicole Dryburgh obituary 2010

  • And as the above references to "glitz" and "glamor" suggest, Edwards wants this contest with Obama to shape up as, "Who can best deliver change -- a lover or a fighter?" print share

    IA-Pres 2009

  • And as the above references to "glitz" and "glamor" suggest, Edwards wants this contest with Obama to shape up as, "Who can best deliver change -- a lover or a fighter?" print share

    Edwards' New Strategy Against Obama: Who Can Best Deliver Change, A Lover Or A Fighter? 2009

  • I hate jokes ... but last time I checked a FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR hair cut is the definition of "glitz" and "glamor".

    Edwards' New Strategy Against Obama: Who Can Best Deliver Change, A Lover Or A Fighter? 2009

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