Meaning & use
full of pizazz
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Having a lot of lively energy, style, or exciting charm that makes people notice you.
Grammar: Used after linking verbs such as be, seem, or look: the show is full of pizazz.
Patterns
- be full of pizazz
- something is full of pizazz
- someone is full of pizazz
Her birthday party was full of pizazz, with lights, music, and a magician.
He walked into the interview full of pizazz and got the job straight away.
The little restaurant is full of pizazz even though the menu is simple.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Showing bright, bold decoration or design that looks showy and eye-catching.
Grammar: Often describes clothes, rooms, or performances rather than people.
Patterns
- be full of pizazz
- a design full of pizazz
The new stage set is full of pizazz, with gold curtains and flashing lights.
Her outfit was full of pizazz: red boots, a silver jacket, and huge earrings.
Common combinations
- full of pizazz and energy
- The young dancers were full of pizazz and energy from the first note.
- add pizazz to something
- A few bright cushions can add pizazz to a plain gray room.
- a performance full of pizazz
- It was a performance full of pizazz that the audience loved.
- look full of pizazz
- The shop window looks full of pizazz at Christmas.
- a touch of pizazz
- The chef adds a touch of pizazz with edible flowers on every plate.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lively
- Describes someone or something with lots of energy, but it says nothing about style or showiness, so it fits a busy child better than a glamorous outfit.
- glamorous
- Focuses on expensive beauty and fashion; use it for looks and events, while 'full of pizazz' also covers lively personality and performance.
- vibrant
- Suggests strong color and lively feeling, often for places and colors, and is a little more formal than this phrase.
- sparkling
- Works well for wit or conversation that is quick and entertaining, but it does not describe bold decoration.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: full of pizazz or pizza? full of pizazz or pizzas?
full of pizazz vs pizza
Pizza is the food, while pizazz means lively style. They sound similar at the start, but the endings are completely different.
full of pizazz vs pizzas
This is just the plural of the food pizza, not a form of pizazz; pizazz has no plural.
Practice
The new singer walked on stage ___ and won the crowd over at once.
Choose one answer.
'Full of pizazz' is the fixed phrase meaning lively and stylish, and it fits the idea of winning over a crowd. 'Full of pizzas' is a joke about food, 'full with pizazz' uses the wrong preposition, and 'pizazz full' is not English word order.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “full of pizazz”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.