rizz

Rizz means charm or the ability to attract someone, especially romantically. Someone with rizz can flirt smoothly and win people over. Oxford named it Word of the Year for 2023.

What does rizz mean?

Oxford defines rizz as style, charm, attractiveness, or the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner. In practice, it is mostly about smooth talk and confidence: knowing what to say and how to say it. You can have rizz, lack rizz, or have “negative rizz” if every attempt goes wrong.

It also works as a verb. To “rizz someone up” means to charm or flirt with them successfully.

How to use it

• “He talked to her for two minutes and got her number. Unreal rizz.”
• “I have zero rizz. I said ‘you too’ when the waiter said enjoy your meal.”
• “Watch him rizz up the whole table at the wedding.”
• “Her rizz is quiet but deadly.”

Where it comes from

Oxford describes rizz as a shortened form of “charisma.” The word was popularized by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat and his friends, though Cenat has said that in his circle it first meant “game.” It spread through streams, TikTok and memes, and got another boost in 2023 when actor Tom Holland joked in an interview that he had “limited rizz.” Oxford announced it as Word of the Year in December 2023.

Rizz variations

• rizzler: someone with a lot of rizz
• unspoken rizz: charm that works without saying anything
• W rizz / L rizz: good or bad flirting attempts
• Negative rizz: making things worse every time you try

Related terms

• gyatt: a stunned reaction to someone attractive
• delulu: delusional, often about a crush
• situationship: a relationship with no label
• main character: acting like the star of your own story
• W: a win

See more terms like this in our Gen Z slang dictionary.