Oxford University Press Crowns “Rizz” as Word of the Year for 2023

Oxford University Press has announced that the viral term “rizz” has been crowned its “word of the year” for 2023. The term is defined as a “colloquial noun, defined as ‘style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner.’” It can also be used as a verb, often in the phrase “rizz up,” which means “to attract, seduce, or chat up (a person).”

The Oxford University Press (OUP) said that “our language experts chose rizz as an interesting example of how language can be formed, shaped, and shared within communities, before being picked up more widely in society.” The term has become increasingly popular among Gen Zers, especially due to the prevalence of rizz-related memes.

The OUP’s decision to crown “rizz” as its word of the year comes after Merriam-Webster announced it as one of its 2023 words of the year after adding it to the dictionary in September. Under Oxford’s definition, “rizz” is a noun that means style, charm, attractiveness or the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner.

The origins of the term have been pegged to celebrities and other famous figures, though its exact origin remains unclear. The OUP’s decision to crown “rizz” as its word of the year is a sign of the term’s increasing popularity and prevalence in everyday language. It is a testament to the power of language to be formed, shaped, and shared within communities, before being picked up more widely in society.