WordGarden.ioritz
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɪts/
US
- /ˈrɪts/
Meanings
Noun
flashy luxury or stylish high-class display
Beyond the definition
The word "ritz" refers to luxury, glamour, and showy elegance. It brings to mind grand hotels, fancy parties, and a polished, high-class way of living. Think sparkling chandeliers, excellent service, and places where everything feels rich and carefully done.
The term comes from Cesar Ritz, the famous Swiss hotelier whose name became linked with luxury. Because of that history, the word often suggests the kind of style you would connect with an elegant hotel or a grand social event. You might also hear the phrase "putting on the Ritz," which means dressing up or acting in a very stylish and impressive way. Whether people are talking about a restaurant, a party, or a whole lifestyle, "ritz" points to glamour with a touch of display.
"Ritz" is not just about high prices; it is about an atmosphere of luxury, glamour, and polished display. The word comes from Cesar Ritz, a pioneer in modern hotelkeeping whose name became strongly associated with comfort, style, and social prestige. Over time, his name began to stand for the kind of elegance people connect with grand hotels, wealthy settings, and fashionable living.
In modern usage, "ritz" is an informal noun for showy luxury or elegant display. The related adjective is "ritzy," which is more common in everyday speech, but "ritz" itself still appears when people want to talk about the quality or feeling of glamour. It is not simply about cost. It is about a certain style that looks refined, fashionable, and a little extravagant.
You might describe a wedding as having plenty of "ritz" if it includes fine food, elegant clothes, and a grand setting. A hotel, restaurant, or party can also be said to have "ritz" when it feels glamorous and expensive in a very visible way. The word is less often used for a person directly, but it can still suggest a stylish, high-class manner when the context is clear.
While it is often linked to wealth and material comfort, "ritz" really points to a feeling: being surrounded by beauty, comfort, and a touch of grand display. So, when you hear that something has "ritz" or that someone is "putting on the Ritz," picture a world that feels more glamorous, more polished, and more luxurious than ordinary life.
Examples
- 1
Fancy celebration
They really put on the ritz for their wedding, with a string quartet and a five-course dinner.
- Phraseput on the ritz
do things in a very fancy, showy way
- 2
Hotel style
The hotel offers comfort without all the ritz of a luxury resort.
- 3
Restaurant style
The restaurant has plenty of ritz, but the food is nothing special.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ritznoun