glitz

glitz — noun

1. a deliberately showy, exciting appearance or atmosphere that is meant to impress

1.nounC1
Definition

a deliberately showy, exciting appearance or atmosphere that is meant to impress people, but often feels shallow or lacking in real substance

Example

The film awards ceremony was full of glitz, with flashing cameras and expensive dresses everywhere.

collocation: full of glitz

Eleni enjoyed the glitz of the fashion show, but she soon grew tired of it.

Common collocations
  • glitz and glamour
  • beneath/beyond the glitz
  • all the glitz
  • full of glitz
Synonyms
  • glamour

    more neutral or positive; glitz suggests a gaudier, less refined version of glamour

  • glitter

    often interchangeable, but glitter can describe literal sparkling surfaces while glitz is an overall quality

  • flashiness

    focuses more on visual boldness; less tied to the idea of entertainment or show business

  • ostentation

    more formal and negative; implies a tasteless display of wealth

Antonyms
  • simplicity

    lacks the showy, attention-seeking quality of glitz

  • understatement

    deliberately restrained and modest, the opposite of glitz

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun; often in the phrase 'glitz and glamour'

Usage Note

Often used in the set phrase 'glitz and glamour', which describes the exciting but shallow side of show business, fashion, or high-end entertainment.

Common Mistakes

I love the glitz of this small café.
The café has a bit of glitz, but the coffee is what keeps people coming back.
glitz implies a contrast between flashy appearance and lack of real substance, so it sounds odd used as pure praise.

glitz — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe something that catches the eye or creates an impressive surface, but they differ sharply in tone. Glamour is the most neutral and positive — it suggests a refined, appealing charm (the glamour of old Hollywood). Glitz adds a critical edge: it is glamour that feels cheap, gaudy, or manufactured, often associated with casinos, awards shows, and fast fashion. Glitter overlaps with glitz but can refer to literal sparkle (the glitter of snow) or a more innocent shine. Ostentation is the most negative and formal of the group, emphasising wasteful or tasteless displays of wealth (the ostentation of a gold-plated yacht). To hear the difference, compare: 'She loved the glamour of Paris fashion week' (admiring) vs 'She was tired of the glitz of Paris fashion week' (dismissive).

glitz ↗glamour ↗glitter ↗ostentation

Common collocations

Phrases

  • glitz and glamour

Etymology

English

A back-formation from 'glitzy', which appeared in the 1930s. 'Glitzy' itself blends 'glitter' with the ending of 'ritzy' — the latter being inspired by the Ritz Hotel, a byword for luxury. So the word carries echoes of both sparkle (glitter) and showy luxury (ritzy).