dj

dj — noun

IPA/ˈdiː dʒeɪ/
KK[dˈidʒˈe]IPA/ˈdiː dʒeɪ/
  • djsingular
  • djsplural

1. A performer who selects and plays recorded pop music for listeners at a radio st

1.nounB1
Definition

A performer who selects and plays recorded pop music for listeners at a radio station, nightclub, party, or similar event.

Example

Gita dreamed of becoming a club DJ after her cousin mixed songs at a party.

collocation: club DJ

The wedding DJ played pop songs and ballads for guests of all ages.

collocation: wedding DJ + plays music

Common collocations
  • club DJ
  • radio DJ
  • wedding DJ
  • work as a DJ
  • become a DJ
  • hire a DJ
  • famous DJ
Synonyms
  • disc jockey

    The full form of 'DJ'; very formal and rarely used in spoken English.

  • selector

    Informal term common in UK club culture, focusing on the skill of choosing songs.

  • mixer

    Informal; emphasises the technical blending of tracks rather than just playing them.

Grammar Patterns

DJ + verb (works as / plays / mixes)

Usage Note

Often capitalised as 'DJ'. The full form 'disc jockey' is much rarer in everyday conversation — learners should use the abbreviation.

Common Mistakes

I want to be a DJ player.
I want to be a DJ.
'DJ' already means the person; adding 'player' is repetitive.
The DJ is playing a CD.
The DJ is playing a track / song / set.
'CD' is outdated for modern DJing which uses digital files or vinyl.

2. A dressy men's jacket, usually black or white, for formal evening events where a

2.nounB2
Definition

A dressy men's jacket, usually black or white, for formal evening events where a bow tie is part of the outfit.

Example

Marco rented a black DJ for the school prom because he had no formal clothes.

collocation: black DJ + rent a DJ

Men at the restaurant wore a DJ and bow tie after six in the evening.

collocation: wear a DJ + bow tie

Common collocations
  • black DJ
  • white DJ
  • wear a DJ
  • rent a DJ
  • hire a DJ
  • dinner jacket
Synonyms
  • dinner jacket

    The full, more formal name; 'DJ' is the abbreviation used in casual British conversation.

  • tuxedo

    American equivalent; refers to the complete formal suit including the jacket.

  • black tie

    The dress code rather than the garment itself; often used to mean 'wear a dinner jacket'.

Grammar Patterns

wear + a DJ

a black / white + DJ

Usage Note

Chiefly British English. In American English the usual term is 'tuxedo' or 'tux'. The abbreviation 'DJ' for dinner jacket may confuse American readers.

Common Mistakes

He wore a DJ shirt to the party.
He wore a DJ to the party.
'DJ' already refers to the jacket, not a shirt.
She put on her DJ for the dance.
He put on his DJ for the dance.
This sense refers to a men's formal jacket; for women, use 'evening jacket' or 'formal jacket'.

dj — verb

IPA/ˈdiːˌdʒeɪ/
KK[dˈidʒˈe]IPA/ˈdiːˌdʒeɪ/

Word family

  • DJing
    nounB1
  • disc jockey
    nounB2
  • dinner jacket
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four terms refer to someone who plays recorded music for an audience, but they differ in scope and register. 'Disc jockey' is the full, formal expansion of 'DJ' and is rarely used outside official contexts — most English speakers simply say 'DJ'. 'Selector' is a UK club-culture term that emphasises the skill of choosing good songs; it implies a curated musical taste rather than technical mixing ability. 'Mixer' focuses on the technical blending of tracks and is more common among electronic-music enthusiasts. 'Radio host' is broader: a radio host may talk, interview guests, and take calls, whereas a DJ's primary role is music selection. In everyday usage, 'DJ' is the safest choice for any context. For example: 'The club hired a new DJ for Friday nights' sounds natural, while 'The club hired a new selector' would only make sense within a niche music crowd.

disc jockeyselector ↗mixerradio host

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • work as a DJ
  • become a DJ
  • hire a DJ
  • DJ at a party
  • DJ a wedding

Prepositions

  • at (a club / a party / a wedding)
  • for (an event / a living)

Etymology

EnglishAmerican English abbreviation

DJ is an abbreviation of 'disc jockey', a term coined in the 1930s in the United States. 'Disc' refers to the vinyl records that were the standard music format at the time, and 'jockey' suggests someone who rides or operates something skilfully — like a jockey controlling a horse. The phrase was first used to describe radio announcers who introduced recorded songs. The meaning 'dinner jacket' is a separate abbreviation that appeared later in British English.

First known use

1946

1946, in the meaning defined above Verb