Word: Jazz

Pronunciation

/dʒæz/

Definitions

• Noun: A genre of music that originated in African American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and a strong rhythmic drive. Example: “They played a lively set of jazz standards at the club.”
• Verb: (transitive) To add liveliness, excitement, or spontaneity to something, often by making changes or improvisations. Example: “The designer jazzed up the outfit with some bold accessories.”
• Adjective: Relating to jazz music or having its style or qualities. Example: “Jazz musicians from around the world performed at the festival.”

Phrases

• “Jazzercise” - a form of aerobic exercise incorporating dance movements to jazz music.
• “Smooth jazz” - a subgenre of jazz music that emphasizes a mellow sound and melodic form over traditional jazz’s complex rhythms.
• “Jazz hands” - a gesture where the fingers of both hands are splayed and wiggled energetically, typically used in performance or to express enthusiasm.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “Jazz music has a rich history rooted in the cultural melting pot of New Orleans.”
• Verb: “To make the presentation more engaging, we decided to jazz it up with some interactive elements.”
• Adjective: “The restaurant had a cool, jazzy vibe with live music playing in the background.”

Synonyms

• Improvised music
• Swing music
• Syncopated music
• Bebop (a specific subgenre of jazz)
• Rhythmic freedom (referring to the improvisational aspect of jazz)

Note: While synonyms can convey similar meanings, they may not fully capture the essence or complexity of jazz as a musical genre or style.