Charisma Redefined: ‘Rizz’ Emerges as Oxford’s Word of the Year

You’ve got serious rizz!
Whaaaat?

Oxford University Press has nominated ‘rizz’ as the Word of the Year. Rizz is internet slang for style, charm, and attractiveness, usually in the context of attracting a romantic or sexual partner.

As a word nerd, I always look forward to the Word of the Year, or word Oscars as I call them. Rizz was made popular by Tiktokers and Gen Z and is derived from Charisma. Take away the 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟 and 𝑚𝑎, you’re left with 𝑟𝑖𝑠. Take away the s and add in 2 z’s to make it rizz-worthy!

Every dictionary nominates its Word of the Year with Collins Dictionary revealing their word of 2023 as ‘artificial intelligence’. ‘Authentic’ is the Word of the Year according to America’s oldest dictionary Merriam-Webster, and they base this on online searches in a year.

Macquarie Dictionary, the dictionary of Australian English has nominated ‘cozzie livs’, short for cost of living. Be still my beating economist’s heart!

Why do I love Word of the Year so much? It captures the mood of a year.

🤔As you reflect on 2023, what personal word captures its mood for you? For me, it would be contemplation. 2023, a year filled with reflection, deep listening and contemplation.