Standard Lemma guide

razzmatazz

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈɹæz.mə.tæz/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -æz
  • CMU ARPABET: R AE1 Z M AH0 T AE1 Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Ambiguous or meaningless language.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • He says he's late for the meeting because his daughter had an emergency at school, but I don't buy this razzmatazz.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: claptrap, double-talk

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Empty and tiresome speculation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • A few politicians are creating some razzmatazz about reinstating the draft.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Something presenting itself in a fanciful and showy, often unrealistic manner, especially when intended to impress and confuse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, uncountable, usually

Examples

  • Is he really the next big thing, or is all the media attention just a bunch of razzmatazz?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: razzle-dazzle

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A long and imposing series of mindless but necessary tasks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: rare, uncountable, usually

Examples

  • When I finally got done dealing with all the razzmatazz of college registration, I decided to go out and have a drink.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: drudgery

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Energy, excitement, vigor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete, uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: razzle-dazzle, razzle, razmataz

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: play

History

Etymology

Uncertain; perhaps an extended form of razz(le-dazzle). Compare pizzazz. Earliest citation from 1888, as razz-ma-taz.