Word of the Day: Zhuzh

[RubyK]

Usually followed by "up," "zhuzh" means "to make (something) more lively and interesting, stylish, or appealing, as by a small change or addition." It can also be a noun referring to that addition. Try zhuzhing up your living room with some fresh flowers.

My daughter zhuzhed up her home for the Thanksgiving Day dinner.

 

[Pinky]

I normally don't wear a lot of jewellery, but for my daughter's wedding, I zhuzhed myself up with sparkly earrings and necklace.

 

[Kaila]

I sometimes like to zhuzh up my shirts or tops, with some small added touch, just to perk up my own spirits, even if I am not going out, anyplace.

 

[Kaila]

It can also be a noun referring to that addition.

A small, bright orange pumpkin, next to my TV, is a cheerful and nice, Autumn zhuzh!

 

[Devi]

I thought I'd heard the word "zhuzh" on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy — I believe it meant puffing up the hair or something like that. Or maybe it means more than that. The word has even made it into the Merriam Webster dictionary:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/zhuzh-zhoosh-queer-eye-origin-kressley

 

[hollydolly]

zhuzh up,is a phrase used often in showbiz, especially in the art dept.. for stage and TV...

 

[Kaila]

I've never heard the word before, but I like it.

It zhuzhes up my vocabulary.

I also like that it uses a phoneme that English does not have letters for, but some other languages do include more often.
French: Je m'appelle Madame Georges.

(English does have a few words, like version or corrosion, with that sound, right? )

 

[Devi]

(English does have a few words, like version or corrosion, with that sound, right? )

So far as I know, correct.