What does veejay mean?
A veejay, commonly abbreviated VJ, is a presenter who introduces and plays music videos on television, radio, or online services. The role developed alongside late-20th-century music television and video-based club culture, combining the visual presentation of a television host with the music-selection role associated with a disc jockey. A veejay may speak to viewers, interview performers, introduce videos, and provide commentary or announcements between tracks. The word is usually informal and is especially common in entertainment and broadcasting contexts, although it is also used for online video channels and live events. It can overlap with the work of a DJ, but the defining feature of a veejay is the presentation of video rather than the exclusive selection of recorded music. “VJ” is widely understood as the professional abbreviation, while “veejay” is the full spoken word.
nounA veejay is a person who presents and plays music videos on television, radio, or online, typically speaking or interacting with the audience between videos.
- A person who presents music videos, especially on television, radio, or online, and often introduces performers or speaks between videos.
"The veejay introduced each track and interviewed the artists before the concert began."
"The channel's veejay played the new single while the singer appeared on screen."
"As a veejay at the station, she interviewed emerging musicians and introduced their videos."
The regular plural is “veejays.”
"Several veejays shared duties on the station's overnight music program."
Veejay is radio jockeying for the video age: a presenter whose soundtrack is the moving images.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of veejay
Veejay is an English 20th-century formation based on the abbreviation VJ, with V representing “video” and J representing “jockey.” Its spoken form is a respelling of the letters V and J as “vee-jay,” following the pronunciation of the abbreviation. The term developed in connection with television and music-video presentation, where the role combined visual hosting with the traditional work of a music jockey.
Related word forms
How veejay is actually used
The term is informal and entertainment-oriented, especially common in television, radio, club, and online-music contexts. The abbreviation “VJ” is at least as common in professional use, and the job's duties can overlap with those of a DJ.
Easily confused with veejay
A DJ primarily selects and plays recorded music, whereas a veejay presents and plays videos, often speaking to the audience between them.