Word Story
Ritzy means impressively or showily luxurious; expensive in a way that is meant to be noticed. It often carries a whiff of irony or gentle mockery: calling something ritzy can suggest it has more flash than substance, or simply that it is far above your usual budget. People use it for hotels, restaurants, neighborhoods, weddings, and clothes that signal money and status, and it is not a neutral synonym for expensive; it leans toward glamour that is visible, theatrical, and perhaps a little excessive. You might hear it in a sentence like 'They're staying at some ritzy place uptown,' where the tone can be admiring, teasing, or both at once. A ritzy charity gala might feature ice sculptures, a live orchestra, and guests arriving in limousines, though the word can also be used affectionately for a friend's unexpectedly elegant dinner party.