noun
spaz
spaz
Spaz (noun) means an informal, often offensive term for a clumsy or awkward person. Example: “He laughed and called himself a spaz after tripping over the rug.”
noun
1
An informal, often offensive term for a clumsy or awkward person.
"He laughed and called himself a spaz after tripping over the rug."
"Don't be such a spaz, just hand me the wrench."
verb
1
To lose composure suddenly, or to have a brief panic or excited outburst (often "spaz out").
"She spazzed out when she couldn't find her passport."
"He spazzed for a second when the fire alarm went off."
How to use spaz
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual (and historically offensive) word for someone acting clumsy or overexcited, or the verb for suddenly losing your cool.
When to use it
Because it derives from a term for a disability, many people consider "spaz" offensive or outdated, especially in British English; it's best avoided in formal or professional writing.
Common pairings
spaz out
total spaz
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Word forms
- Plural
- spazzes
- Third person singular
- spazzes
- Past tense
- spazzed
Etymology
A shortening of "spastic," originally a medical term describing muscle spasms linked to conditions like cerebral palsy.
Rhymes for spaz
See all rhymes for spaz →Frequently asked questions
What does “spaz” mean?
The word “spaz” means an informal, often offensive term for a clumsy or awkward person. In plain terms, a casual (and historically offensive) word for someone acting clumsy or overexcited, or the verb for suddenly losing your cool.
How do you pronounce “spaz”?
“Spaz” is pronounced spaz (/spæz/ in IPA).
How do you use “spaz” in a sentence?
Here is “spaz” used in a sentence: “He laughed and called himself a spaz after tripping over the rug.”
What part of speech is “spaz”?
Depending on how it is used, “spaz” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “spaz” have?
“Spaz” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, often offensive term for a clumsy or awkward person.
