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zhuzh

/ʒʊʒ/
IPA guide

Other forms: zhuzhed; zhuzhing; zhuzhes

To zhuzh is to give something a quick touch-up to make it more attractive or interesting. You could zhuzh your math notebook by gluing sparkly rhinestones on it, or zhuzh a Christmas tree with some extra tinsel.

Etymologists suspect that zhuzh is derived from an 18th-century British slang used by theater and circus performers. Its current usage dates from the 1970s. Whenever you spike your hair with gel to give it some extra height, you zhuzh in. You might see owners zhuzh their pups' coats before a dog show or watch your dad zhuzh the ends of his handlebar mustache in the mirror. And if your bedroom is boring, just zhuzh it with some party lights!

Definitions of zhuzh
  1. verb
    improve the style, appearance, or flavor of something or someone with a small change or addition
    synonyms: zhoosh
  2. noun
    a small add-on or adjustment that improves the style, flavor, or appearance of a person or thing
    synonyms: zhoosh
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