Definition of: jazz

(jaz) noun
1. A kind of music, generally improvised but sometimes arranged, achieving its effects by syncopation, heavily accented rhythms, dissonance, melodic variation, and particular tonal qualities of the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, and other instruments. It was originated by New Orleans Negro musicians.
2. Popular dance music.
3. Slang Nonsense; claptrap.
—adjective Of or pertaining to jazz.
—v.t. To play or arrange (music) as jazz.
—v.i. To dance to or play jazz.
—to jazz up Slang To make exciting or more exciting. [<Creole jass coition; from its origin in the brothels of New Orleans]