Meaning & use
razzle-dazzles
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Meanings
nounpluralinformal
Loud, showy displays or activities meant to impress people and attract attention.
Grammar: Almost always used in the plural; the singular 'razzle-dazzle' names the quality or style rather than a single event.
Patterns
- the razzle-dazzles of something
The opening ceremony was full of razzle-dazzles, with fireworks and dancers everywhere.
Critics said the film relied on razzle-dazzles instead of a real story.
After all the razzle-dazzles of the launch party, the product itself felt disappointing.
verbtransitiveinformal
To impress or confuse someone with fast, flashy tricks or showy behavior.
Grammar: Takes an object: you razzle-dazzle an audience or a customer.
Patterns
- razzle-dazzle someone
- razzle-dazzle someone with something
The salesman razzle-dazzled the crowd with quick talk and bright lights.
She razzle-dazzled the judges with a routine no one had seen before.
Word forms
| singular | razzle-dazzle |
|---|
Common combinations
- a razzle-dazzle performance
- The team put on a razzle-dazzle performance that left the crowd cheering.
- pure razzle-dazzle
- The halftime show was pure razzle-dazzle from start to finish.
- razzle-dazzle someone with something
- He tried to razzle-dazzle the buyers with charts and slogans.
- all razzle-dazzle and no substance
- The presentation was all razzle-dazzle and no substance.
Synonyms and how they differ
- glitz
- Glitz suggests glamorous sparkle, especially in fashion or entertainment, while razzle-dazzles stresses noisy, attention-grabbing activity.
- showmanship
- Showmanship is the skill of putting on a good show; razzle-dazzles focuses on the flashy effects themselves.
- razzmatazz
- Razzmatazz is a close informal twin, but it often sounds more playful or critical.
Opposites
Word family
- razzle-dazzle noun
- The singular form, meaning flashy showiness in general.
- dazzle verb
- To blind or amaze someone with bright light or brilliance.
Commonly confused: razzle-dazzles or dazzle?
razzle-dazzles vs dazzle
Dazzle is the plain verb or noun for blinding brightness; razzle-dazzles is the informal plural for showy displays or tricks.
Practice
The charity gala was full of ______, with lasers, dancers and a live orchestra.
Choose one answer.
'Razzle-dazzles' is the plural noun for several showy attractions. 'Razzle-dazzle' would work as an uncountable style word but not for countable events, and 'dazzles' alone does not carry the showy-display meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “razzle-dazzles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.