‘Rizz’ named word of the year by Oxford University Press
Gen Z’s favourite TikTok buzzword ‘rizz’ was crowned word of the year for 2023. Unsure what that means? A brush up on your social media dialect might be in order.
The word ‘rizz’ has been named word of the year by the Oxford University Press.
Based on more than 32,000 votes and final judgement from a team of language experts, the word is defined as ‘style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner’. It was used incessantly on TikTok this year and is a staple of Gen Z dialect.
‘Rizz’ is understood to be a shortened form of the word ‘charisma’ and can also be used as a verb. The phrase ‘to rizz up’, for example, means to chat up or seduce someone. It’s essentially an updated version of ‘game’.
Oxford University Press’ word choice marks Gen Z’s increasing influence over regular language and discourse, and reinforces social media’s overwhelming presence within our everyday communication. It follows in the footsteps of 2022’s word of the year, which was ‘goblin mode’.
Plus, it’s all good fun. That’s the most important thing, right?
