Slang dictionary · English internet slang · English internet slang
What does rizz mean?
Also written: rizzler, rizz up, W rizz, unspoken rizz
In short
Rizz means charm or the ability to attract people, usually in a flirting or dating sense: if someone "has rizz", they are smooth and good at getting others to like them. It also works as a verb, as in "he rizzed her up". The word is thought to be short for charisma, was popularised by the streamer Kai Cenat from around 2021, and Oxford University Press named it its Word of the Year for 2023.
Where rizz comes from
Most dictionaries trace rizz to the middle of charisma, clipped the way influenza became flu, though that link is not certain. The streamer and YouTuber Kai Cenat used it with his friends and in his streams from at least 2021, including "rizz" challenges, and it took off on TikTok in 2022.
In 2023 Oxford University Press chose rizz as its Word of the Year, picked over the other finalists Swiftie, situationship and prompt.
How to use it
As a noun you have rizz, lack rizz, or have "W rizz" (good) or "L rizz" (bad). As a verb you rizz someone, or rizz them up. A rizzler is someone with a lot of it.
- "He got her number in two minutes. Man has unreal rizz."
- "Bro tried to rizz up the barista and got a free cookie."
- "My pickup line? Zero rizz, I know."
- "Unspoken rizz": charm that works without saying anything, like a look or a smile.
Similar words
| Word | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| game | skill at flirting | older slang, same idea |
| charisma | personal charm | standard English, not just romantic |
| aura | presence, cool factor | about vibe, not flirting |
Tone
Rizz is casual and a little jokey. Young people use it sincerely; older people often use it to sound like young people, which is funny in its own way. Fine in chats, comments and friendly teasing, out of place in formal writing.
FAQ
Is rizz short for charisma?
Probably. Dictionaries call it a likely shortening of charisma, but the link is not proven.
What does "rizz someone up" mean?
To flirt with someone successfully or try to charm them, as in "he rizzed her up at the party".
What is a rizzler?
Someone with a lot of rizz, a smooth talker who is good at charming people.