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English speakers are fond of forming new words through reduplication of a base word, usually with just a slight change of sound. Think of okeydoke, fuddy-duddy, super-duper, roly-poly, fiddle-faddle, and dillydally. Another word is razzle-dazzle, formed by the reduplication of dazzle (itself a frequentative of daze). In the late-19th century, the spirit that prompted razzle-dazzle (one early meaning of which is "a state of confusion or hilarity") seems to have also inspired razzmatazz. The coiners of razzmatazz may also have had jazz in mind. Some of the earliest turn-of-the century uses of razzmatazz refer to rag-time or early jazz styles. By the mid-20th century, we'd come round to the "razzle-dazzle" sense, though we still haven't completely settled on the spelling. You might, for example, see razzamatazz.
Examples of razzmatazz in a Sentence
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 16 May 2026
Call it a legacy of a standout awards season, but the razzmatazz of the red carpet has filtered its way into the world of nails, with crystal embellishments proving popular.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 23 June 2025
Here are just a few… Communal singing A hymn written by a dying Anglican cleric in the 1800s might not scream ‘pre-match razzmatazz’, but the pre-kick-off rendition of Abide With Me has become a staple of the build-up to FA Cup finals.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Adding to the festive razzmatazz—and unquestionably broadening the appeal of the games—Beyoncé, arguably Houston's most-famous daughter, has been drafted in as the half-time performer during the Ravens-Texans matchup.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for razzmatazz
Cite this Entry
“Razzmatazz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/razzmatazz. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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