Riz
"Riz" is a Southern and Appalachian dialect form of the past tense of "rise." Older speakers used it in place of "rose," as in "the sun riz this morning."
synonyms: rose, risen (archaic/dialect use)
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I haven't heard 'riz' in a long time. So this one is much rarer than it use to be - more of an old timers word now. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I haven't heard 'riz' in a long time. So this one is much rarer than it use to be - more of an old timers word now. Pronunciation
[RIZ]
/rɪz/
/rɪz/
Meaning & Usage
- Past tense of rise (verb)
Clara:
What time did the sun come up?
What time did the sun come up?
Elmer:
Oh, it done riz ’fore six o’clock.
Oh, it done riz ’fore six o’clock.variations: none
Origin and Etymology
From older English dialects where "riz" was used as a past tense form of "rise." The form survived well into the 20th century in Southern and Appalachian speech, long after it had faded elsewhere in American English. Documented in oral histories, hymnals ("He is riz"), and regional dialect studies.
Usage Notes
- Common in rural Southern/Appalachian storytelling and folk speech, especially among older generations.
- Rarely heard outside the South/Appalachia in modern times.
- Now considered old-fashioned, but remembered as part of traditional dialect.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 3). Riz. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/riz
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Riz." HillbillySlang.com, 3 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/riz.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Riz." HillbillySlang.com. October 3, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/riz.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...