noun
doozy
DOO-zee
Doozy (noun) means (informal) Something remarkable, often because it's especially difficult, surprising, or impressive. Example: “That last exam question was a real doozy.”
noun
1
(informal) Something remarkable, often because it's especially difficult, surprising, or impressive.
"That last exam question was a real doozy."
"Their argument was a doozy — the whole street heard it."
How to use doozy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething notably big, tricky, or impressive — can be good or bad depending on context.
When to use it
Informal, mostly American English.
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Word forms
- Plural
- doozies
- Comparative
- doozier
- Superlative
- dooziest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That last exam question was a real _____.
Etymology
Origin unclear; first recorded in 1903, possibly linked to "daisy" (once used to mean something excellent) or the Italian actress Eleonora Duse. The car brand Duesenberg is a popular but false origin story — the word predates it.
Class of 1903
doozy joined the language around 1903.
See the full Class of 1903 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for doozy
See all rhymes for doozy →Frequently asked questions
What does “doozy” mean?
The word “doozy” means (informal) Something remarkable, often because it's especially difficult, surprising, or impressive. In plain terms, something notably big, tricky, or impressive — can be good or bad depending on context.
How do you pronounce “doozy”?
“Doozy” is pronounced DOO-zee (/ˈduːzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “doozy” in a sentence?
Here is “doozy” used in a sentence: “That last exam question was a real doozy.”
What part of speech is “doozy”?
“Doozy” is a noun.
Where does the word “doozy” come from?
The word “doozy” dates back to around 1903 and comes from Italian.
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