jazz — ODE · Shobdo

jazz /dʒaz

▸ noun [mass noun]

1 a type of music of black American origin characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm, emerging at the beginning of the 20th century. Brass and woodwind instruments and piano are particularly associated with jazz, although guitar and occasionally violin are also used; styles include Dixieland, swing, bebop, and free jazz:

a mix of folk, jazz, blues, and pop

[as modifier] a jazz musician.

▪ (also jazz ballet or jazz dance) a style of theatrical dance performed to jazz or popular music.

2 informal enthusiastic or lively talk, especially when considered exaggerated or insincere:

all this jazz about how they can't afford it is preposterous.

▸ verb [no object] dated play or dance to jazz music.

– PHRASES

and all that jazz informal
and such similar things:

oh, love, life, and all that jazz.

– PHRASAL VERBS

jazz up (jazz something up, jazz up something) make something more interesting, lively, or exciting:

jazz up an all-white kitchen with red tiles.

– ORIGIN early 20th century: perhaps related to jism.