glitz
gb/ɡlˈɪts/ us/ɡlˈɪts/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
glamorous showy attractiveness
bright glamour that looks exciting and expensive.
Usage pattern:
the glitz of [place/event]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse glitz (showy glamour) with glitter (small shiny pieces).
Synonyms
glamour (more general and often less critical than glitz.)
|
razzle-dazzle (emphasizes showy display meant to impress.)
|
flashiness (often suggests being too showy or tasteless.)
Antonyms
simplicity (lack of showiness or luxury.)
|
plainness (an unadorned, not glamorous appearance.)
Collocations
Hollywood glitz
|the glitz and glamour
|media glitz
|red-carpet glitz
|celebrity glitz
|the glitz of Las Vegas
|a touch of glitz
|add some glitz
|full of glitz
|pure glitz
Themes
entertainment
|fashion
|media
|lifestyle
Examples
- The awards ceremony was full of glitz, from the designer gowns to the camera flashes.
- She enjoys the glitz of the city but prefers a quiet life at home.
- The hotel offers five-star service without unnecessary glitz.
Learner examples
- The party had lots of glitz.
- I like the glitz of big concerts.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
superficial show without value
showy style that hides a lack of real quality.
Usage pattern:
[something] is all glitz (and no substance)
Common mistake:
Glitz often carries a critical tone in this sense; it can imply something is shallow.
Synonyms
hype (focuses on exaggerated publicity rather than visual glamour.)
|
window dressing (emphasizes superficial additions meant to make something look better.)
|
façade (suggests a deceptive outward appearance.)
Antonyms
substance (real value, quality, or seriousness.)
|
depth (seriousness and meaning rather than surface appeal.)
Collocations
all glitz
|style over substance
|more glitz than substance
|marketing glitz
|political glitz
|empty glitz
|surface glitz
|glitz and hype
|cheap glitz
|pure glitz
Themes
media
|business
|opinions
Examples
- The presentation had plenty of glitz, but it didn’t explain how the product actually worked.
- Critics said the campaign was all glitz and no substance.
- Behind the glitz of the launch event, the company was struggling financially.
Learner examples
- The ad is glitz, not real information.
- We want substance, not glitz.
Verb
informal
C1
action
3
make something more glamorous
to make something look more glamorous.
Usage pattern:
glitz [something] (up)
Common mistake:
As a verb, glitz is less common than the adjective glitzy; learners may prefer 'glam up' or 'dress up'.
Synonyms
glam up (very common informal alternative.)
|
dress up (more general; not necessarily glamorous.)
|
embellish (more formal; emphasizes adding decorative details.)
Antonyms
simplify (remove decoration or complexity.)
|
tone down (make less strong, bright, or showy.)
Collocations
glitz up the room
|glitz up the event
|glitz up the set
|glitz up a website
|glitz up the menu
|glitz up the campaign
|glitz up the outfit
|glitz up the lobby
|glitz up the packaging
|glitz up the show
Themes
fashion
|media
|daily_life
Examples
- They tried to glitz the venue up with spotlights and a champagne bar.
- The studio glitzed up the trailer to make the movie look more exciting.
- We don’t need to glitz it up; the product speaks for itself.
Learner examples
- They glitzed up the room for the party.
- Don’t glitz it up too much.
Noun
C1
entity
4
shiny decorative sparkle
sparkly decoration that looks glamorous.
Usage pattern:
a bit/touch of glitz
Common mistake:
This can overlap with glitter, but glitz usually suggests an overall glamorous look, not just particles.
Synonyms
sparkle (more neutral and less linked to luxury.)
|
glitter (more literal; often refers to small shiny pieces.)
|
bling (slang; often associated with flashy jewelry.)
Antonyms
understatement (a deliberate choice to avoid decoration or showiness.)
Collocations
a touch of glitz
|a bit of glitz
|add glitz
|stage glitz
|costume glitz
|Christmas glitz
|gold glitz
|sparkly glitz
|decorative glitz
|extra glitz
Themes
fashion
|design
|entertainment
Examples
- She wanted a simple dress with just a touch of glitz at the neckline.
- The costume designer added glitz with sequins and metallic fabric.
- The new logo has more glitz, but it’s harder to read.
Learner examples
- I want a touch of glitz on my jacket.
- The dress has glitz on the sleeves.
Grammar
Dictionary form
glitz
IPA
GB/ɡlˈɪts/
US/ɡlˈɪts/
Syllables & stress
glitz (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (glitz)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: glitz
- Plural: glitz
Word family
Expressions
all glitz and no substance
1/ˈɔl ɡlˈɪts ˈænd nˈoʊ sˈʌbstəns/
fixed phrase
impressive style, little value
looks great, but is not really good or useful.
Examples
- The restaurant is all glitz and no substance—pretty plates, bland food.
- He dismissed the proposal as all glitz and no substance.
- The redesign feels like all glitz and no substance to longtime users.
glitz and glamour
1/ɡlˈɪts ˈænd ɡlˈæmɚ/
fixed phrase
showy luxury and excitement
exciting, glamorous luxury.
Examples
- Tourists come for the glitz and glamour of the film festival.
- Behind the glitz and glamour, the job involves long hours and pressure.
- The magazine focuses on celebrity glitz and glamour.
glitz up
1/ɡlˈɪts ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
make something more glamorous
to make something look more glamorous.
Examples
- They glitzed up the lobby for the holidays with lights and gold ribbons.
- The network glitzed up the broadcast with extra graphics and music.
- She glitzed up her old dress with a belt and earrings.