English

glitzy

gb/ɡlˈɪtsi/ us/ɡlˈɪtsi/
B2 English
Senses
0 senses
adjective B2 property
1

brightly glamorous and impressive

very shiny and glamorous, meant to impress

Usage pattern: a glitzy [event/place/show/outfit]
Common mistake:
Learners may use it for anything simply 'shiny'; it usually implies glamour and attention-seeking style.
Synonyms
glamorous (more general; less emphasis on sparkle/showiness.) | flashy (similar attention-getting style; often slightly negative.) | sparkly (more literal about glitter; less about luxury/image.)
Antonyms
plain (simple and not attention-grabbing.) | understated (intentionally not showy or flashy.)
Collocations
glitzy party |glitzy premiere |glitzy awards ceremony |glitzy nightclub |glitzy casino |glitzy hotel |glitzy outfit |glitzy production |glitzy event |glitzy lifestyle
Themes
appearance |entertainment |media |fashion_lifestyle
Examples
  • They arrived at a glitzy red-carpet premiere in downtown Los Angeles.
  • The new hotel has a glitzy lobby filled with lights and mirrors.
  • It’s a glitzy show with big costumes and dramatic staging.
Learner examples
  • She wore a glitzy dress to the party.
  • We went to a glitzy event downtown.
adjective C1 property
2

overly flashy; lacking good taste

too shiny and showy, and not really good quality

Usage pattern: a glitzy [ad/campaign/image/website]
Common mistake:
Learners may miss the negative tone; in many contexts glitzy suggests 'style over substance'.
Synonyms
gaudy (more clearly negative; strongly suggests bad taste.) | tacky (informal and judgmental; implies cheapness.) | showy (focuses on display; less emphasis on glitter/lights.)
Antonyms
tasteful (attractive in a refined way, not excessive.) | subtle (not obvious or attention-seeking.)
Collocations
glitzy advertisement |glitzy marketing |glitzy brochure |glitzy website |glitzy presentation |glitzy packaging |glitzy image |glitzy campaign |glitzy promises |glitzy exterior
Themes
appearance |judgement |media |marketing
Examples
  • The salesman used a glitzy presentation to distract from the high fees.
  • The restaurant looks glitzy from the outside, but the food is mediocre.
  • She was tired of glitzy promises that never turned into real support.
Learner examples
  • The ad was glitzy, but the product was bad.
Grammar
Dictionary form
glitzy
IPA
GB/ɡlˈɪtsi/
US/ɡlˈɪtsi/
Syllables & stress
glitzy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (glitzy)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: glitzy
  • Comparative: glitzier
  • Superlative: glitziest
Word family
Forms
glitzier adjective glitziest adjective
Core family
glitz noun B2
Related words
glitter verb B2 glittery adjective
Advanced or less common
glitziness noun glitzily adverb
Expressions

glitzy and glamorous

1
/ɡlˈɪtsi ˈænd ɡlˈæmɚəs/
fixed phrase

very stylish and attention-getting

very glamorous and exciting

Examples
  • Magazine covers make their lives look glitzy and glamorous.
  • The film is set in a glitzy and glamorous version of 1960s London.

the glitzy world of [something]

1
/ðə ɡlˈɪtsi wˈɚld əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase

public image of glamorous life

the glamorous-looking life in an industry

Examples
  • She wrote a memoir about the glitzy world of television news.
  • The documentary looks behind the scenes of the glitzy world of fashion.

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