Rizz has been designated as the word of the year for 2023 by Oxford University Press

If you possess the skill of engaging in lively conversations or flirting with potential partners, you might already be familiar with rizz, even if you were unaware of its significance. The Oxford word of the year, an internet slang term denoting romantic appeal or charm, is predominantly employed by the younger demographic.

Tom Holland has admitted that he has "no rizz"

This term emerged as the selected word from a shortlist of eight, all carefully chosen to mirror the prevailing mood, ethos, or concerns of 2023. The final decision was made by Oxford lexicographers after narrowing down the list through a public vote. Other contenders included Swiftie, beige flag, and situationship.

What exactly is 'rizz,' and do you possess it?

The term might not hold much significance if you don't belong to Generation Z. However, it has gained significant traction online, evidenced by billions of views under the hashtag "rizz" on TikTok. According to Oxford University Press (OUP), the publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), 'rizz' is defined as style, charm, or attractiveness, particularly in terms of the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner.

This term is believed to be a condensed version of the word 'charisma.' Additionally, it functions as a verb, as seen in phrases like "to rizz up," which implies attracting, seducing, or engaging in conversation to charm someone. In essence, 'rizz' represents a modern iteration of 'game,' characterized by skill, prowess, and the ability to sexually attract others through one's charm.

What do the shorlisted words mean?

Certainly! Here are the meanings of the shortlisted words:

Beige flag (n.): A character trait indicating that a partner or potential partner is perceived as boring or lacking originality. It can also refer to a trait or habit, especially of a partner, that is viewed as extremely characteristic but not distinctly good or bad.

Situationship (n.): A romantic or sexual relationship that is not considered formal or established. It implies a connection that may lack clear definition or commitment.

Parasocial (adj.): Describing a relationship characterized by a one-sided, unreciprocated sense of intimacy felt by a viewer, fan, or follower for a well-known or prominent figure, typically a media celebrity. In this type of relationship, the follower or fan falsely believes they know the celebrity as a friend.

Heat dome (n.): A persistent high-pressure weather system over a specific geographic area, which traps a mass of hot air below it. This term is often associated with extreme heat conditions.

Swiftie (n.): An enthusiastic fan of the singer Taylor Swift. The term is used to describe devoted followers who are passionate about Taylor Swift and her work.

Prompt (n.): An instruction given to an artificial intelligence program, algorithm, etc., that determines or influences the content it generates. In the context of AI, a prompt is a command or input that guides the system in producing specific output or responses.

De-influencing (n.): The practice of discouraging people from purchasing specific products or encouraging them to reduce their consumption of material goods, especially through social media. This term suggests efforts to counteract or diminish the influence of marketing or societal pressures on consumer behavior.

According to OUP, a draft definition is one that lexicographers create "for the purposes of the Word of the Year campaign." Words without draft definitions are stated to be already present in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

The clarification provided by OUP suggests that the remaining words may potentially find their way into dictionaries after an evaluation of factors such as their longevity, frequency, and breadth of usage. This process implies that these words will be considered for inclusion in dictionaries based on their sustained usage and widespread acceptance over time.

YouTuber and Twitch streamer Kai Cenat is widely acknowledged for popularizing the term "rizz," a term he frequently used with his friends.

Tom Holland and Twitch streamer Kai Cenat

The usage of this word continued to gain momentum throughout the year. In June, actor Tom Holland was questioned by Buzzfeed about the secret to his "rizz."

Holland responded, stating, "I have no rizz whatsoever. I have limited rizz," and went on to explain that he won over his girlfriend Zendaya by adopting the "long game" approach.

It's worth noting that the Oxford word of the year for the previous year was "goblin mode," another slang term describing a state of being "unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy" behaviour.

Casper Grathwohl, President at Oxford Languages, remarked that although "goblin mode" had struck a chord with many individuals in the aftermath of the pandemic, it is intriguing to observe a contrasting term like "rizz" take center stage.

Many people adopted goblin mode, giving in to lazy behaviour, during the pandemic

He suggested that the word "rizz" might reflect a prevailing mood in 2023, where there is a tendency for more people to open themselves up after facing challenging years and to discover confidence in their own identity. This implies that the term captures a sentiment of self-assurance and openness emerging in response to the difficulties of recent times.

He said “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."

Mr. Grathwohl emphasized that the increasing prevalence of the term "rizz" demonstrates that words and phrases originating from internet culture are progressively integrating into everyday language.

The shortlist of eight words was chosen by language experts at Oxford University Press. Subsequently, a public vote in late November narrowed down the list to four finalists. The final selection was then made by the language experts.

In November, Collins Dictionary disclosed their word of 2023 as "artificial intelligence." This indicates that different language authorities are recognizing and highlighting diverse terms that reflect the evolving landscape of contemporary communication and societal trends.