The 2023 Word of the Year Reveals Our Collective Mood
The Announcement That Stopped Scrollers
Oxford University Press dropped its annual choice. The selection was rizz. Not a geopolitical crisis. Not a stock market metric. A single, slang term for charm. The decision sent ripples through linguistics labs and late-night talk shows alike. It felt like a mirror held up to a hyper-connected generation. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and nyt word of the year.
What Exactly Is Rizz?
The word describes a person’s ability to attract or charm a romantic interest. But it goes deeper than pickup lines. It implies a natural, effortless magnetism. Think of a barista who remembers your name instantly. Picture someone whose presence fills a room without trying. The Oxford English Dictionary defined it as "style, charm, or attractiveness."
Breaking Down the Etymology
The origin traces back to "charisma," but the spelling evolved through internet culture. It became a standalone noun and a verb. You can "rizz someone up." You can possess "game rizz." This flexibility helped it spread across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). The word mutated into a cultural phenomenon.
Why This Word Won Over "Brainrot" and "Swiftie"
The shortlist included strong contenders. Brainrot described the endless scroll of low-quality content. Swiftie captured a devoted fanbase. Yet rizz won the jury over. The judges cited its brevity and utility. It fills a gap that existing adjectives couldn’t. A single syllable of slang carried the weight of an entire generation’s social anxiety.
The Oxford Word of the Year Process
Selecting a candidate isn’t a popularity contest run by algorithms. Language researchers analyze millions of documents. They look for words that reflect genuine cultural shifts. The term must show sustained use throughout the year. It cannot just be a fleeting moment. The 2023 pick passed these rigorous filters with flying colors.
A Year of Connection and Performance
2023 was a year of rebuilding social bonds after isolation. People craved authentic connection. Yet they also performed connection online for clout. Rizz sits perfectly at that intersection. It celebrates smooth social execution. It acknowledges the performative nature of modern dating. The word captures a very specific human need.
Previous NYT and Oxford Picks: A Quick Look
The New York Times has its own internal poll for word trends. Oxford’s formal list often differs from media outlets. Previous Oxford winners include vax in 2021 and goblin mode in 2022. The NYT often highlights terms tied to major events. The overlap shows how language evolves through shared crisis and joy.
How to Use Rizz in Context
Grammar nerds might balk at a slang term taking the crown. But language is alive. Here is how you can drop this in a sentence.
- He has the rizz to talk to anyone at a party. - That outfit has zero rizz. - Her rizz made the whole conversation feel effortless.
The syntax works fluidly in casual speech. It lacks the stiffness of formal charm. It is descriptive and immediate.
The Impact of Social Media on Dictionary Updates
Social platforms accelerate word lifecycles. A term can go global in 48 hours. Dictionaries used to lag behind this speed. Now, they race to keep up. Oxford tracks these digital migrations closely. If a word survives the algorithm, it earns a place in print. Rizz survived the test of virality.
What the Word Tells Us About 2023
We live in an age of constant performance. Every interaction is potentially a broadcast. The focus on rizz highlights a deep fear of social missteps. We want to be liked effortlessly. We want to leave a lasting impression without trying too hard. The winning word speaks to that universal desire for acceptance.
Looking Ahead: Will Rizz Last?
Slang terms have expiration dates. Some fade within months. Others achieve permanence. The next Oxford announcement is already in the works. Will rizz remain a cultural fixture? Will a new term dethrone it? Only time and usage patterns will tell.
The current consensus suggests it has staying power. It fills a specific communicative niche. The way we describe our social skills is shifting. Rizz marks a distinct moment in that evolution. Keep an eye on the shortlist for next year.