What does rizz mean? Learn why it’s Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2023
‘Rizz’, a shortened version of the word ‘charisma’ is Oxford’s Word of the Year 2023. The internet neologism describes a person’s unique charm and style that enables them to succeed in every aspect of life and attract romantic partners, of course. Rizz, in essence, is the thing we all want. But how do you use the word or know if you have it? Sit back while we break it down for you.
The Oxford English Dictionary has declared “rizz” as 2023’s word of the year. The slang Gen Z term means “style, charm, or attractiveness.”
— TRT World (@trtworld) December 13, 2023
It was popularised by a Twitch streamer, Kai Cenat, but peaked after Tom Holland used it during an interview in June.
Here are other… pic.twitter.com/jQgCc7MxvA
The rise of rizz
Rizz is rooted in the word ‘charisma’, as aforementioned. However, the good citizens of Southern Baltimore started to shorten it to ‘rizzma’ and subsequently to ‘rizz’. The new abbreviation rizz began to gain popularity after the editor of Twitch live streamer Kai Cenat, a resident of south Baltimore, started to place it in compilations and thumbnails. Shortly afterwards, the internet went wild and the word was adopted all over the US.
In an interview on No Jumper, Cenat explained: “Rizz is when you’re talking to a girl and, at first, sh*t is not going your way. It’s looking bad for you until you spit game and you’re rizzing them up to where sh*t starts to go your way.”
Rizz was further popularised when British actor Tom Holland aka Spiderman used the word in a viral Buzzfeed interview. A couple of hours after the interview was released rizz went global.
Is rizz the same as charisma?
No, rizz is not exactly the same thing as charisma. While charisma is a noun, rizz is a noun as well as a verb. You either have rizz or you can rizz someone up. It’s also charisma in action if that makes sense. Confused? Let’s go over this more slowly then.
he’s got that demonic rizz pic.twitter.com/k7kpYALJb0
— 〰 (@SaraOT5) December 17, 2023
How to use rizz properly
The best way to use rizz is through its noun function. “Abby got his number cause she got mad rizz,” would be a good example. When you approach an attractive individual and “rizz them up,” we’d be looking at rizz in its verb state. Still with me here?
With the evolution of the term, the noun was also further extended. Cenat is credited with coining the terms ‘W rizz’, which defines a win, and ‘L rizz’, which means a total lack of charisma.
So when someone says: “Abby is such a successful player because she got W rizz,” that’s rizz as a noun again. That makes sense, right?
Additionally, on Tiktok the term ‘unspoken rizz’ also started to gain traction. It’s when a person is so physically attractive that they don’t need much effort anymore. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this contradicts the term’s original use because rizz is all about how you carry yourself in conversations.
Is rizz really new?
Rizz is not exactly a new concept. It has always been around and is very synonymous with ‘having game’, being able to ‘pull’, or, ‘get b*tches’ if you prefer its more misogynistic iteration. According to Urban Dictionary, rizz describes a “featherless being” with a finesse that can confidently approach and charm “the female species.” Nevertheless, the word shouldn’t be gendered. With its popularisation, rizz was adopted by women, nonbinary and gender-fluid individuals too. After all, you don’t have to be a man to be a straight-up player. Just ask Coi Leray…
Coi Leray releases the video to her hit single “Players.” @coi_leray pic.twitter.com/ok0DDZaHCv
— Rap Alert (@rapalert6) October 6, 2023
But enough with the etymology. That’s not all you are here for, is it? Without further ado, here is a definitive list of celebrities and public figures who have certified rizz.
Who has rizz?
Zendaya
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Although her boyfriend, Tom Holland, might not have it, she definitely does. Period.
Rihanna
Another definition for rizz could have been a picture of singer, dancer, CEO, and mother of two Rihanna. Just saying.
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Julia Fox
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Maybe you like her, maybe you don’t but in each case, you’d still have to applaud Fox’s uncanny ability to command attention and make you watch everything she does. Fox is a master of rizz and any claim to the contrary is just hate.
HoYeon Jung
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The model, actress and unofficial main character of Squid Game has more rizz in her tiny little finger than most of us hold in our entire bodies and that’s just facts.
Jennifer Lawrence
Winter Bone. The Hunger Games film series. Silver Linings Playbook. Don’t Look Up. Nuff said.
Jennifer Lawrence already has 6 nominations for the #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/10mynGH10O
— ~ Lu ~ (@todoxjlaw) December 11, 2023
Barack and Michelle Obama
I am still convinced that we can get them a third term, just forget the US Constitution. We can bring them back, we just have to.
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Pete Davidson
@playmakernyrie Replying to @colep.miller confirmed. Pete’s is the rizz god. #fyp #foryoupage #f #petedavidson #kimkardashian #flirt #dating
♬ original sound - Nyrie Iskandarian
This boy has earned his spot on this list. He just has.
Zac Efron
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He’s been dropping jars since 2006, proving that we can always bet on him. Facts.
Zac Efron really didn't need to go that hard on Bet On It but he did that for us
— Childhood Shows (@ChildhoodShows) August 19, 2022
The bridge in the song is just *chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/10aXCpxuig
Simone Ashley
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A mean girl, a mermaid and the bane of Anthony Bridgerton’s existence. If Simone Ashley can do one thing, it’s outshine everyone else on screen with her. We stan.
Josie Totah
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Whether it is as an actress or trans rights activist, Josie Totah is an undeniable powerhouse who oozes charisma and charm in every single thing she does.
Idris Elba
I mean, who doesn’t feel the rizz exuding from the body of Idris Elba? Throw him in every conversation and watch people shudder with pleasure and excitement, that’s how intense it is.
Throw Idris Elba in every conversation. I love him #RHOSLC pic.twitter.com/gBRuW13io1
— The DisCountess (@Discountess_) December 13, 2023
Do you have rizz?
Now, this is really a question only the people around you can answer. So, go on, get to it, start asking. And that just about wraps up our round-up of rizz and who exactly has it.
