What does rizz mean? Rizz means charisma or the ability to attract romantic interest through charm, confidence, and conversation skills. Shortened from “charisma,” the term went viral on TikTok in 2021-2022 and was named Oxford Word of the Year 2023, becoming Gen Z’s favorite slang for flirting prowess.
Rizz Meaning Explained
Rizz is modern slang that describes someone’s ability to attract, charm, or seduce a romantic interest through charisma, wit, and smooth conversation. The word functions as both a noun and a verb in contemporary usage.
As a noun, rizz refers to the quality itself: “He’s got rizz” means someone possesses natural charm and appeal. As a verb, to “rizz someone up” means to actively flirt with or charm another person using clever conversation, confidence, and magnetic personality.
The concept extends beyond physical appearance rizz emphasizes verbal charm, emotional intelligence, and the ability to create genuine romantic connection through conversation. Someone with rizz knows how to read social cues, deliver compliments naturally, maintain engaging eye contact, and create chemistry through dialogue rather than relying solely on looks or material status.
Key characteristics of rizz include:
- Smooth, confident communication without appearing arrogant
- Quick-witted responses and playful banter
- Ability to make others feel special and valued
- Natural charm that doesn’t seem forced or rehearsed
- Emotional awareness and social intelligence
The term has evolved to include various subcategories. “Unspoken rizz” describes attracting others through presence alone, without verbal interaction. “W rizz” (win rizz) indicates successful charm, while “L rizz” (loss rizz) suggests failed attempts at flirting. “Rizz god” refers to someone with exceptional charisma who effortlessly attracts romantic attention.
Rizz represents a shift in how younger generations discuss dating dynamics, moving away from outdated terms like “game” or “mack” while emphasizing authentic connection over manipulation. The concept celebrates genuine confidence and social skills rather than pickup artist tactics or superficial approaches to romance.
Where Did Rizz Come From?
The origin of rizz traces back to Kai Cenat, a popular Twitch streamer and YouTube content creator from New York City. Cenat began using the term around 2021 during his live streams, where he and his friends would discuss their dating experiences and rate each other’s ability to attract romantic interests.
Etymology and Creation: Cenat created “rizz” as a shortened, more casual version of “charisma.” The linguistic process known as clipping mirrors how other Gen Z slang terms emerged (like “sus” from suspicious or “cap” from capping). By trimming “charisma” to its middle syllable, Cenat made the concept feel more contemporary, informal, and accessible to younger audiences.
Initially, rizz circulated within Cenat’s community of viewers and fellow streamers. His collaborations with other content creators, particularly members of the AMP (Any Means Possible) collective including Duke Dennis, Agent 00, and Davis helped spread the term throughout gaming and streaming communities.
Early Adoption Timeline:
- 2021: Kai Cenat begins regularly using “rizz” in streams
- Late 2021-Early 2022: The term spreads to other streamers and their audiences
- Mid-2022: Rizz breaks out of streaming circles and enters mainstream TikTok
- 2023: The term achieves widespread recognition beyond social media
The word’s structure made it particularly effective for internet culture. Its single syllable made it perfect for quick comments, captions, and memes. The punchy sound gave it memorability, while its playful tone matched the lighthearted way Gen Z approaches dating discourse online.
Cultural Context: Rizz emerged during a period when Gen Z was reimagining dating language for the digital age. Traditional terms like “game,” “mack,” or “spit game” felt outdated and often carried connotations of manipulation or insincerity. Rizz offered a fresh alternative that emphasized genuine charm and authentic connection.
The term also reflected broader generational shifts in how young people communicate about romance. Rather than the hyper-masculine posturing associated with pickup artist culture, rizz celebrated emotional intelligence, humor, and respectful confidence. This made the concept appealing across genders and relationship dynamics.
By December 2023, Oxford University Press officially recognized rizz’s cultural impact by naming it the Oxford Word of the Year, beating out other contenders like “Swiftie” and “situationship.” The selection committee noted that rizz “speaks to how younger generations now create, spread, and own the language they use.”
How Rizz Went Viral on TikTok & Social Media
The explosion of rizz from niche streaming slang to mainstream phenomenon happened primarily through TikTok, where the term achieved viral status throughout 2022 and 2023.
Initial TikTok Breakthrough (Early-Mid 2022):
The first major viral wave began when Kai Cenat clips from his Twitch streams were reposted to TikTok. Videos of Cenat and his friends debating who had the best rizz, sharing “rizz tutorials,” and rating each other’s flirting abilities accumulated millions of views. These clips introduced the term to TikTok’s younger demographic, who quickly adopted it into their own content.
By March 2022, the hashtag #rizz had already garnered over 100 million views on TikTok. Users began creating their own rizz-related content, including:
- Rizz rating videos: People would share their flirting attempts and ask viewers to rate their rizz
- Rizz tutorials: Creators offered tips on developing charisma and charm
- Rizz fails: Compilations of awkward or unsuccessful flirting attempts became comedy gold
The “Rizz Face” Trend (Summer 2022):
A specific viral trend involved showing off one’s “rizz face” the confident, slightly smoldering expression supposedly used to attract romantic interest. The trend poked fun at itself, with users exaggerating the face for comedic effect. Videos using the hashtag #rizzface accumulated over 500 million views by August 2022.
Celebrity and Influencer Adoption (Late 2022-2023):
The term’s legitimacy skyrocketed when mainstream celebrities and major influencers began using it:
- Tom Holland mentioned having “no rizz” during a June 2023 interview with BuzzFeed, generating massive media coverage
- Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield discussed the concept in interviews
- Popular YouTubers like KSI, IShowSpeed, and MrBeast incorporated rizz into their content
- Musicians began referencing rizz in songs and social media posts
Meme Evolution:
Several specific meme formats drove rizz’s viral growth:
- “Unspoken Rizz” memes (Fall 2022): Videos showing people attracting attention through presence alone, often set to dramatic music. The trend celebrated the idea that true charisma doesn’t require words.
- “W Rizz vs L Rizz” comparisons (Early 2023): Side-by-side videos contrasting successful charm (W rizz) with cringe-worthy failures (L rizz). These videos received hundreds of millions of views collectively.
- “Rizz lines” compilations (Throughout 2023): Users shared their best pickup lines and smooth conversation starters, with comment sections becoming competitive showcases of creativity.
- The “Rizz God” phenomenon: Certain creators became known as “rizz gods” after viral videos showing exceptional charisma. One notable example was a college student whose confident cafeteria interaction earned over 30 million views in February 2023.
Instagram and YouTube Shorts:
The trend spread beyond TikTok to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts throughout 2023. Compilation channels dedicated to “best rizz moments” accumulated millions of subscribers. The cross-platform nature ensured the term reached diverse demographics beyond TikTok’s core user base.
Mainstream Media Coverage (2023-2024):
By mid-2023, traditional media outlets like The New York Times, BBC, and CNN were publishing explainer articles about rizz. This mainstream coverage introduced the term to older generations and cemented its place in broader cultural conversation.
Current Status (2026):
As of February 2026, rizz remains deeply embedded in Gen Z and Gen Alpha vocabulary, though its usage has evolved. While still popular, it’s now considered established slang rather than a trending term. The word appears in everyday conversation, dating app profiles, and continues generating new meme variations. The hashtag #rizz has surpassed 10 billion views on TikTok, demonstrating its lasting impact on internet culture.
15+ Examples of Rizz in Real Sentences
Understanding rizz requires seeing how it functions in actual conversation. Here are authentic examples demonstrating different contexts and usage:
As a Noun (Describing the Quality):
- “My friend Jake has incredible rizz he can start a conversation with anyone and have them laughing within minutes.”
- “She walked into the party with such confidence and charm; her rizz was undeniable.”
- “I need to work on my rizz before I try talking to my crush again.”
- “His rizz is unmatched; he got three phone numbers at the coffee shop this morning.”
- “Your rizz is weak if you’re still using pickup lines from 2015.”
As a Verb (Rizzing Someone Up):
- “Watch me rizz up that person at the bar I’ll have their Instagram in five minutes.”
- “He tried to rizz her up, but she wasn’t interested at all.”
- “Stop trying to rizz up my sister; it’s weird.”
- “I can’t believe you successfully rizzed up your professor’s teaching assistant.”
- “She absolutely rizzed him up without even trying; he was captivated.”
With Modifiers and Variations:
- “That was some W rizz right there smooth delivery and great timing.”
- “Bro, that was pure L rizz; you actually scared them away with that comment.”
- “He’s got that unspoken rizz; people are drawn to him before he even speaks.”
- “My roommate is a certified rizz god; I’ve never seen anyone so naturally charismatic.”
- “You’ve got negative rizz if you think negging actually works.”
In Comparative Contexts:
- “Between the two of us, you definitely have more rizz when it comes to first impressions.”
- “Dating apps require different rizz than in-person meetings—you need to be witty through text.”
In Self-Deprecating Humor:
- “My rizz is nonexistent; I accidentally called my date by my ex’s name.”
- “I have the rizz of a wet cardboard box when I’m nervous.”
- “Zero rizz energy—I sent a winky face emoji to my boss instead of my crush.”
These examples demonstrate rizz’s versatility in modern slang, functioning across contexts from genuine compliments to self-aware humor about dating struggles.
Rizz vs Game vs Charisma: What’s the Difference?
While rizz, game, and charisma all relate to interpersonal attraction and charm, they carry distinct connotations and usage contexts:
| Aspect | Rizz | Game | Charisma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Era | 2020s, Gen Z | 1990s-2010s, Millennial | Timeless, formal |
| Connotation | Authentic, playful | Strategic, sometimes manipulative | Natural magnetism |
| Context | Casual, romantic focus | Dating/pickup culture | Broader social influence |
| Gender neutrality | Highly gender-neutral | Historically masculine-coded | Fully gender-neutral |
| Sincerity | Emphasizes genuine connection | Can imply artifice | Inherently authentic |
Charisma: The formal, traditional term describing personal magnetism and the ability to influence and inspire others. Charisma applies broadly—to leaders, performers, public speakers, and anyone with compelling presence. It’s not exclusively romantic and carries no negative connotations. You might describe a politician, teacher, or musician as charismatic without any dating implications.
Game: Popularized in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly through pickup artist (PUA) culture, “game” refers to the techniques, strategies, and tactics used to attract romantic or sexual partners. The term often implies a calculated approach—knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to “play” social dynamics. While game can be used neutrally, it frequently carries connotations of manipulation or viewing dating as a competitive sport. The phrase “spit game” or “run game” suggests deliberate execution of practiced techniques.
Rizz: The modern, Gen Z alternative that reclaims the positive aspects of attraction while rejecting the manipulative undertones of “game.” Rizz emphasizes natural charisma specifically in romantic contexts, celebrating genuine confidence and authentic connection. It’s playful rather than serious, inclusive rather than masculine-coded, and focuses on mutual enjoyment rather than conquest. Rizz acknowledges that attraction involves skill and effort while maintaining that the best approach is being genuinely charming rather than following a script.
Key philosophical differences:
Someone with “game” might use memorized lines and psychological techniques. Someone with “rizz” makes you laugh and feel valued through authentic personality. Game suggests playing to win; rizz suggests connecting to enjoy. Game can feel transactional; rizz feels collaborative.
The evolution from game to rizz reflects broader cultural shifts in how younger generations approach dating—moving away from adversarial or manipulative frameworks toward more emotionally intelligent, respectful, and genuine interactions.
Pop Culture References & Memes
Rizz has permeated popular culture far beyond TikTok, appearing in music, television, sports, and mainstream media:
Music References:
- Multiple artists have incorporated rizz into lyrics, with rapper Lil Yachty and others referencing the term in tracks released throughout 2023-2024
- The term appears in countless TikTok sounds and audio clips used for viral videos
- Several songs titled “Rizz” or variations have been released by independent artists capitalizing on the trend
Sports and Athletics:
- NBA players have used rizz in post-game interviews and social media posts
- College athletes frequently reference their rizz in TikTok content
- Sports commentators have playfully incorporated the term when discussing players’ personalities
Television and Streaming:
- Late-night hosts including Jimmy Fallon and James Corden created segments explaining rizz to older audiences
- The term has been referenced in comedy sketches on Saturday Night Live
- Several reality dating shows incorporated rizz into episode titles and contestant descriptions
Notable Meme Formats:
- “Rizz or Looks” debates: Viral discussions about whether charisma or physical appearance matters more in attraction
- Celebrity rizz rankings: Fans create tier lists ranking celebrities’ perceived rizz levels, generating millions of engagement
- Historical figures with rizz: Humorous memes imagining historical personalities as “rizz gods” (often featuring figures like Casanova or JFK)
- Animal rizz content: Videos of animals appearing charismatic or charming captioned with rizz references
- The “Rizz Calculator”: Fake apps and filters claiming to measure someone’s rizz level became viral jokes
Academic Recognition:
Beyond Oxford naming it Word of the Year, rizz has been analyzed in linguistic journals and discussed in university courses on digital communication and slang evolution.
Different Types of Rizz
The rizz taxonomy has expanded significantly, with users creating specific subcategories:
W Rizz (Win Rizz): Successful, effective charm that achieves desired romantic results. Example: smoothly getting someone’s number with a clever conversation.
L Rizz (Loss Rizz): Failed flirting attempts that result in rejection or awkwardness. Example: using a cringeworthy pickup line that makes someone walk away.
Unspoken Rizz: Attracting romantic interest through presence, confidence, and nonverbal communication alone, without saying anything. Considered the highest form of rizz.
Negative Rizz: Being so awkward or off-putting that you actively repel potential romantic interests. Worse than simply lacking rizz.
Automatic Rizz: Natural, effortless charm that doesn’t require conscious effort. Some people simply have magnetic personalities.
Textual Rizz: Specific ability to be charming through text messages, dating app conversations, or DMs. Distinct from in-person rizz.
Situational Rizz: Context-dependent charm being charismatic in specific environments but not others (e.g., good party rizz but poor professional setting rizz).
FAQs
1. What does rizz mean in slang?
Rizz is Gen Z slang for charisma, specifically the ability to attract romantic interest through charm, confidence, and smooth conversation. The term originated from Twitch streamer Kai Cenat around 2021 and went viral on TikTok in 2022. It functions as both a noun (having rizz) and a verb (rizzing someone up). Unlike older terms like “game,” rizz emphasizes authentic connection and emotional intelligence rather than manipulation. Someone with rizz knows how to create genuine chemistry through witty banter, confident communication, and making others feel valued. The concept celebrates natural charm and social skills in romantic contexts, representing how younger generations discuss dating dynamics in the digital age.
2. Is rizz offensive or inappropriate?
No, rizz is generally not offensive and is widely accepted as playful, lighthearted slang. The term is gender-neutral and doesn’t carry inherently negative connotations. However, context matters—how someone uses their rizz can be inappropriate even if the word itself isn’t. Respectful flirting is positive; harassment isn’t, regardless of terminology. Rizz emphasizes genuine charm and mutual enjoyment rather than aggressive or manipulative behavior. The term actually represents a more respectful evolution in dating language compared to older pickup artist terminology. Most people use rizz in self-aware, humorous ways rather than seriously claiming to be master seducers. As with any slang, understanding your audience is important—using it in professional settings might seem unprofessional, but among peers it’s perfectly acceptable.
3. Who started using rizz first?
Kai Cenat, a popular Twitch streamer and YouTube content creator from New York City, is credited with creating and popularizing the term rizz around 2021. Cenat shortened “charisma” to create the catchier, more casual “rizz” during his live streams while discussing dating experiences with friends and fellow streamers. The term initially circulated within gaming and streaming communities, particularly among members of the AMP (Any Means Possible) content collective. From there, clips of Cenat’s streams spread to TikTok in early 2022, where the term exploded into mainstream usage. While Cenat deserves credit for coining and popularizing rizz, the term’s viral success resulted from millions of TikTok users adopting and spreading it throughout 2022-2023.
4. How do you use rizz in a sentence?
Rizz functions both as a noun and a verb. As a noun, you might say: “He’s got serious rizz” (meaning he has natural charm), “Your rizz is weak” (lacking charisma), or “She walked in with unspoken rizz” (attractive through presence alone). As a verb, you “rizz someone up” when actively charming them: “I’m about to rizz up that person at the bar,” or “He tried to rizz her up but failed.” You can modify it with W (win) or L (loss): “That was W rizz” for successful charm or “L rizz energy” for failed attempts. The term works in casual conversation, social media captions, and text messages, typically among younger speakers familiar with current slang.
5. What’s the difference between rizz and flirting?
Flirting is the broad activity of showing romantic interest through playful conversation, compliments, and physical cues. Rizz is the quality or skill level you possess while flirting essentially, how good you are at it. Everyone can flirt, but not everyone has rizz. Think of flirting as the action and rizz as the talent. Someone with high rizz flirts effectively, naturally, and successfully. Someone with low rizz might attempt flirting but come across as awkward or off-putting. Rizz specifically describes charismatic, confident flirting that creates genuine connection. You could say: “I was flirting with them” (describing the action) versus “My rizz was on point” (evaluating how skillfully you flirted). Rizz is the modern slang term that captures the quality and effectiveness of your flirting ability.
6. Can you develop rizz or is it natural?
Both nature and nurture contribute to rizz. Some people possess natural charisma they’re inherently confident, socially aware, and effortlessly charming. However, rizz absolutely can be developed through practice and self-improvement. Key areas to develop include: confidence (believing in your worth without arrogance), active listening (genuinely engaging with what others say), humor (finding appropriate moments for wit and playfulness), emotional intelligence (reading social cues and responding appropriately), and authenticity (being yourself rather than performing). Social skills improve through experience—the more you interact with diverse people, the better you understand what creates connection. Many “rizz tutorials” on TikTok offer legitimate advice about conversation skills, body language, and confidence-building. The foundation is respecting others and being genuinely interested in them rather than viewing interactions as performances or conquests.
7. What is “unspoken rizz”?
Unspoken rizz refers to attracting romantic interest through presence, confidence, and nonverbal communication alone, without speaking. It’s considered the pinnacle of rizz—when your energy, body language, style, and overall aura draw people to you before any conversation begins. Someone with unspoken rizz might walk into a room and immediately capture attention through confident posture, magnetic eye contact, and compelling energy. This concept became a viral trend on TikTok in fall 2022, with videos showing people attracting interest through glances, subtle gestures, or simply existing with remarkable presence. While the term is often used humorously or exaggerated for comedic effect, it captures a real phenomenon: some individuals possess such natural magnetism that verbal charm becomes almost unnecessary. Unspoken rizz emphasizes that true charisma extends beyond what you say to encompass how you carry yourself and the energy you project.
8. What does W rizz and L rizz mean?
W rizz (win rizz) and L rizz (loss rizz) describe successful versus failed attempts at charm. W rizz indicates effective charisma that achieves positive romantic results getting someone’s number, making them laugh, creating genuine connection, or successfully asking someone out. It represents smooth, confident interactions that leave good impressions. L rizz describes awkward, unsuccessful, or cringe-worthy flirting attempts that result in rejection, uncomfortable silences, or actively pushing someone away. These might include poorly-timed jokes, desperate-seeming behavior, or misreading social cues. The W/L terminology comes from gaming culture, where W means win and L means loss. On social media, users share both their W rizz moments (to celebrate success) and L rizz moments (typically for self-deprecating humor). The terms acknowledge that everyone experiences both successes and failures in romantic interactions, normalizing the awkwardness inherent in dating.
9. Why was rizz named Oxford Word of the Year 2023?
Oxford University Press selected rizz as the 2023 Word of the Year because it exemplified how language evolves in the digital age, particularly how younger generations create and spread new terms. The selection committee highlighted several factors: rizz demonstrated linguistic creativity (the innovative shortening of charisma), cultural relevance (capturing contemporary attitudes toward dating and social interaction), viral spread (rapid adoption across social media platforms), and generational ownership (Gen Z creating language that reflects their values and experiences). The term beat other candidates including “Swiftie,” “situationship,” and “prompt,” showing rizz’s exceptional cultural penetration. Oxford noted that rizz represents a broader shift where young people actively shape language through social media rather than passively inheriting it from previous generations. The selection recognized both the term’s popularity and its significance as a cultural artifact revealing how Gen Z approaches romance, communication, and self-expression.
10. Is rizz still popular in 2026?
Yes, rizz remains firmly embedded in Gen Z and Gen Alpha vocabulary as of February 2026, though its status has evolved from trending slang to established language. While no longer generating the same viral momentum as during its 2022-2023 peak, the term continues appearing in everyday conversation, social media content, and dating discourse. The word has achieved what linguists call “lexicalization”—transitioning from novelty slang to recognized vocabulary within its speaker community. Younger generations use rizz naturally without considering it particularly trendy, similar to how words like “cool” or “chill” became permanent fixtures after their initial trendiness faded. The term still generates new meme variations and appears in dating app profiles, YouTube video titles, and casual conversation. While older demographics may have moved on or never adopted it, for those under 25, rizz remains standard terminology for discussing charisma and romantic attraction.
Conclusion
Rizz represents more than just fleeting internet slang it’s a linguistic reflection of how Gen Z reimagines romance, communication, and self-presentation in the digital age. From Kai Cenat’s Twitch streams to Oxford’s Word of the Year recognition, rizz has evolved into established vocabulary that captures the importance of authentic charm, emotional intelligence, and genuine connection in modern dating.
Understanding rizz provides insight into contemporary youth culture, social media dynamics, and evolving relationship norms. Whether you’re looking to improve your own charisma, decode social media content, or simply stay current with language evolution, rizz exemplifies how young people actively create culture rather than passively consume it.
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Michael Jordan is a writer at ValneTix.com who explains word meanings in a clear and easy to understand style, helping readers expand their vocabulary and language skills.
