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Rizz Meaning: All About the New Word and Its Cultural Impact on Teen Slang Even Now in 2025
The English language has always evolved, with new words entering the cultural lexicon every year. But in 2023, one word stood out above the rest and was crowned the Oxford Word of the Year: rizz. If you’ve found yourself scratching your head and asking, “What does rizz mean?” you’re not alone. From TikTok to Twitter and beyond, rizz has quickly become a buzzword for teens, making its way from internet slang to mainstream conversation. But it’s more than just a passing trend; it reflects shifting cultural norms around charm, charisma, and attraction, even now in 2025.
What Exactly Does Rizz Mean?
At its core, rizz is short for charisma, but it’s much more than just a nice personality. The word rizz is often used to describe a person’s ability to charm, woo, or flirt with someone, usually in a way that gets them interested. It’s about having that special “game,” the kind of charisma that doesn’t rely solely on looks but on how you communicate, move, and connect with others. To be clear, rizz is not about being good-looking, though that certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s about the energy, confidence, and smooth talk that gets people to notice you.
As rizz gained traction on TikTok, it became synonymous with someone’s ability to charm and flirt, much like how “game” was used in previous generations. When people talk about someone having rizz, they’re essentially saying that person has mastered the art of making a connection, no matter how much of a challenge it seems at first.
The Rise of Rizz: From TikTok to the Dictionary
Rizz first hit the mainstream through social media platforms like TikTok, where users began using it to describe flirtation and charm in a way that felt fresh and funny. It quickly caught on, particularly among Generation Z, who brought it into everyday conversations. The term gained even more recognition when it was used in a viral video by TikTok personality Henry De Tolla, whose phrase “Livvy rizzed up Baby Gronk“ set off a viral chain reaction. From there, rizz was used by influencers and celebrities, including Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, who humorously confessed his “limited rizz” in a BuzzFeed interview.
Despite its rapid rise, the origins of rizz are rooted in Black culture, as are many new slang terms. The term was popularised by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, who used it in his streams and saw it take off among his followers. He defined rizz as the ability to win someone over, especially when things don’t initially go your way. It’s about perseverance and knowing how to “spit game” when the stakes are high.
How Rizz Became the Word of 2023
Oxford University Press crowned rizz as the Word of the Year for 2023, beating out other contenders like situationship and Swiftie. According to the language experts at Oxford, rizz reflects how social interaction has evolved, especially in a post-pandemic world where people are more confident in themselves and open to new forms of communication. The choice of rizz as the word of the year mirrors how language evolves quickly in today’s digital age. What once took years to gain mainstream recognition can now explode within months.
While rizz has undoubtedly become a part of everyday vernacular, it’s also a perfect example of how teen slang can become a cultural touchstone. As language expert Casper Grathwohl noted, rizz speaks to a time when confidence and charm are at the forefront of dating and relationships, showing how language has adapted to reflect these changing dynamics.
The Many Faces of Rizz: Types and Usage
Not all rizz is created equal. Like anything in teen slang, there are levels to rizz, and they can determine how effective you are in a given social scenario. Here are the key variations of rizz:
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W Rizz: The highest level of rizz, where your charm is undeniable, and you manage to win someone over no matter the odds. This is the peak of success.
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L Rizz: The opposite of W rizz. This is when your attempts to charm someone backfire, leaving you with “negative rizz.” Think of it as when someone’s attempts at flirting or connecting are awkward or unappealing.
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Mid Rizz: This version of Rizz is a bit of a disappointment. It is neither impressive nor off-putting—just average.
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Mad Rizz: This one is used to describe someone who has an abundance of rizz, usually to the point of impressing everyone around them. Think of Donkey from Shrek, the character who charms everyone, including the dragon.
These variations allow for more detailed discussions about the effectiveness of someone’s charm in different contexts, whether in person or on social media.
The Future of Rizz: Will It Stick Around?
While it’s difficult to predict the lifespan of any new slang word, rizz has solidified itself as a cultural marker for the year 2023. In the ever-changing landscape of teen slang, it seems like rizz is here to stay, at least for now. The term has become so embedded in social media that it may take years before it fades from popular use. Rizz continues to gain traction among younger audiences, and it’s already making its way into broader pop culture references, from memes to mainstream advertising.
Despite concerns from older generations about the meanings and speed of linguistic evolution, words like Rizz remind us of how vibrant and adaptive language can be. Whether or not it sticks around long-term, Rizz has undeniably had its moment in 2023, speaking to a cultural shift that celebrates confidence, charm, and the art of winning someone over. But even now, in 2025, the word has proven to be a cultural phenomenon that has come to stay.
FAQs
What is Rizz short for? Rizz is short for charisma, and it’s used to describe someone’s charm and ability to win others over, especially in a romantic or flirtatious context.
Can someone have rizz without being good-looking? Absolutely! Rizz is more about personality, confidence, and the way you communicate. While being attractive can certainly help, it’s your ability to engage and charm others that matters most.
Who popularised the word rizz? While Rizz had been used in certain circles, Twitch streamer Kai Cenat helped popularise it in online communities. TikTok also played a big role in spreading the term, making it mainstream.
What does rizzed up mean? To be rizzed up means that someone successfully used their charm and charisma to win someone over or get their attention, often in a flirtatious way.
Is rizz only used in dating contexts? While rizz is often used in dating and flirting contexts, it can also refer to a broader sense of charm or charisma in social situations. It’s about impressing or winning over others, regardless of the setting.
Will Rizz become outdated? As with most slang, the lifespan of rizz is uncertain. However, with its cultural momentum, it’s likely to remain a relevant term for at least the next few years.
