noun
Muzak
MYOO-zak
Muzak (noun) means Bland, easy-listening background music, especially the kind played in shops, offices, or lifts. Example: “Tinny muzak played over the supermarket speakers all day.”
noun
1
Bland, easy-listening background music, especially the kind played in shops, offices, or lifts.
"Tinny muzak played over the supermarket speakers all day."
"The waiting room was filled with dentist-office muzak."
2
Anything considered dull, undemanding, or droning on in the background.
"His speech was just corporate muzak — pleasant but forgettable."
How to use Muzak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBackground music so bland it barely registers — or, by extension, anything equally forgettable.
When to use it
Often used dismissively or humorously rather than as a neutral description.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- Muzaks
- Past tense
- Muzaked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tinny _____ played over the supermarket speakers all day.
Etymology
Originally the brand name Muzak, coined in the 1930s by blending "music" with the "-ak" ending of Kodak, a famous brand at the time.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Muzak” mean?
The word “Muzak” means bland, easy-listening background music, especially the kind played in shops, offices, or lifts. In plain terms, background music so bland it barely registers — or, by extension, anything equally forgettable.
How do you pronounce “Muzak”?
“Muzak” is pronounced MYOO-zak (/ˈmjuzæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “Muzak” in a sentence?
Here is “Muzak” used in a sentence: “Tinny muzak played over the supermarket speakers all day.”
What part of speech is “Muzak”?
“Muzak” is a noun.
Where does the word “Muzak” come from?
The word “Muzak” dates back to around 1930. Originally the brand name Muzak, coined in the 1930s by blending "music" with the "-ak" ending of Kodak, a famous brand at the time.
How many meanings does “Muzak” have?
“Muzak” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bland, easy-listening background music, especially the kind played in shops, offices, or lifts.
