Oxford Crowns ‘Rizz’ Word of the Year 2023

The colloquial noun ‘rizz’ – which refers to ‘style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner’ – became popular online among Gen Z users.

Now it’s been crowned Word of the Year 2023, beating out the other three finalists – Swiftie, prompt, and situationship. Experts believe it is a condensed form of ‘charisma’, extracted from the middle part of the word.

The Oxford Word of the Year is an annual tradition where the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) selects a word or phrase that has made a significant impact on the cultural and linguistic landscape of that particular year.

The choice depends on the word’s relevance, influence, or reflection of the year’s ethos, trends, or societal shifts. It’s not just about the word’s frequency of use but also its ability to capture the spirit of the times. The selection process involves analysing language data, considering the word’s emergence, popularity, and resonance within society.

‘Limited rizz’

Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, said, “Given that last year ‘goblin mode’ resonated with so many of us following the pandemic, it’s interesting to see a contrasting word like rizz come to the forefront, perhaps speaking to a prevailing mood of 2023 where more of us are opening ourselves up after a challenging few years and finding confidence in who we are.

“Rizz is a term that has boomed on social media and speaks to how language that enjoys intense popularity and currency within particular social communities – and even in some cases lose their popularity and become passé – can bleed into the mainstream. This is a story as old as language itself, but stories of linguistic evolution and expansion that used to take years can now take weeks or months.

“The spike in usage data for rizz goes to prove that words and phrases that evolve from internet culture are increasingly becoming part of day-to-day vernacular and will continue to shape language trends in the future.”

Actor Tom Holland helped popularise the term, as he used it in an interview with Buzzfeed in June.

“I have no rizz whatsoever,” he said. “I have limited rizz.”

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