rizz

rizz · noun, verb¹

Coined by the American Twitch streamer and YouTuber Kai Cenat (born 2001), or one of his close friends, around May 2021 and popularized on TikTok in 2022. Rizz further increased in prominence throughout 2023 and was chosen as the 2023 Word of the Year by the Oxford University Press. Contrary to popular belief, Cenat has confirmed that the term is not short for charisma, though it has likely influenced the pronunciation. Possible earlier use On 11 March 1999, in the fourth episode, “Cassandra”, of the eighth season of the British sitcom Red Dwarf, the character Arnold Rimmer uses the phrase “giving it rizz” referring to the act of engaging in sexual intercourse. While the usage in the episode implies a similar meaning to its modern colloquial meaning, it did not appear to have popularized the term. This line is referenced on the official Red Dwarf website.

rizz · noun²

Clipping of Rizla+, a brand of rolling paper.

First known use, by meaning

• from early 2020s A person's ability to attract a love interest, usually female; attractiveness, charm.
• from early 2020s Often followed by up: to attract or seduce (a love interest).