Oxford’s official Word of the Year for 2023 is here! A word you might’ve heard but not understood till now, here’s the tea on the four-letter favourite:
Global (06 December 2023) — Every year, Oxford’s Word of the Year gives the world a glance at a word that sums up much of the year’s energy. In the same breath, it also shares a hot, new word on the block to take with us into the future.
This year’s Word of the Year is a Gen Z favourite. What it lacks in length, it makes up for in meaning (which packs quite a charming punch). Despite its youth, its parent word is very familiar and is a compliment of note in the right context.
And the Word of the Year Goes to ‘Rizz’
Rizz has buzzed across the world this year as a massive nod to one’s energy. Whether you’re getting people to believe in an idea you have, or you’re embracing as much magnetism to entice someone you like, being commended on the rizz factor was something many were after in 2023.
According to Oxford Languages, the word received more than 32000 votes from language experts. They share:
“2023 marked the era of personal—and professional—PR. And what does it take to command attention? A whole lot of charisma, or the shortened form, ‘rizz’.
Of its definition, they add:
“Pertaining to someone’s ability to attract another person through style, charm, or attractiveness, this term is from the middle part of the word ‘charisma’, which is an unusual word formation pattern.”
Other Finalists in the Sentence
Prompt: an instruction given to an artificial intelligence programme, algorithm, etc., which determines or influences the content it generates.
Situationship: A romantic or sexual relationship that is not considered to be formal or established.
Swiftie: An enthusiastic fan of the singer Taylor Swift.
by 