30 Made-Up Words From Wicked: Ozian Dictionary
Created: Feb 23, 2025
Last Updated: Feb 23, 2025
Since the movie’s release in 2024, Wicked (the adaptation of a popular stage musical), has taken the world by storm with its magical storyline, catchy songs and rather peculiar dialogue. Many of the words from Wicked are unconventional, leaving those viewing the movie to learn English feeling a bit... confusified.
Whether you’ve already indulged in the movie and want to understand the made-up words from Wicked, or you’re planning to watch it and want some knowledge beforehand, stay tuned - we’re about to dig into the curious culture of Oz!
For more help decoding definitions of language used in popular movies, turn to Flurret - where learning English is made far easier!
The Ozian language explained
We should start by answering the question many viewers have: Is Ozian a real language? The answer is, no - it’s completely fictional. However, the playful terms have slight Latin similarities, giving them a sense of familiarity while still feeling truly unique to the wonderful world of Oz.
The Ozian Glossararium, a chapter in the book Wicked: The Grimmerie, includes a complete list of all the neologisms and their definitions used by the people of Oz. This glossary not only explains the quirky words we encounter in the movie adaptation, but it also deepens our connection to Oz, grounding the fantastical world in its own, very fun language.
Characters like Glinda and Madame Morrible frequently use these terms throughout the film in a comedic way. For example, Glinda's use of "rejoicify" instead of "rejoice" reminds us of the lighthearted nature of the made-up land of Oz. After all, if Shakespeare can invent a language, why can't our favorite witches?
If you have an interest in learning new words and playful sayings, don’t forget to check our British slang glossary after you’ve been Oz-ified!
What words were made up in Wicked?
- Braverism (noun): To display bravery in taking on an act that others may not dare to approach. Madame Morrible uses it in the phrase, “I've striven to ensure that all of Oz knows the story of your braverism!”
- Clandestinedly (adverb): To do or say something sneakily to avoid being caught. In the song Popular, Galinda uses the word to suggest that her friend Elphaba secretly desires popularity and recognition.
- Confusifying (adjective): Used when a situation or answer to a question isn’t definitive and could be debated. Galinda uses this word at the start of the movie when faced with the philosophical question, 'Are people born wicked?'"
- Congratulotions (noun): A playful variation of the well-known word “congratulations”. Used to express happiness for another person’s achievements.
- Decipherate (verb): The act of deciphering or making sense of something. In Wicked, Elphaba is asked to decipherate a magical book of ancient runes. “Don't be discouraged if you cannot decipherate it, dearie.”
- Disgusticified (adjective): When someone is feeling beyond ‘grossed out’ or offended. In modern English, we would use ‘disgusted’, whereas this Ozian word is used in the song, What is This Feeling to describe a feeling of hatred and disgust.
- Definish (adverb): To describe slight uncertainty in a decision. In a situation where someone is almost definite in their answer or decision, but not quite 100% sure! “With a talent like yours, dear, there is / A definish chance…”
- Degreenify (verb): The Wicked Witch of the West has famously green-tinted skin. To “degreenify” means to remove the ‘curse’ and become normal-skinned, blending with the rest of society. Elphaba refers to this verb in the song, The Wizard and I.
- Demanderating (adjective): Something which is extremely difficult, particularly in witchcraft. To cast spells is especially demanderating.
- Devastrated (adjective): To feel really sad or disappointed.
- Disrespectation (noun): A sudden and unexpected insult that catches someone off guard, especially when they are expecting respect or courtesy instead. This term is used in Wicked to highlight moments where characters feel slighted in ways they didn’t see coming
- Encouragerize (verb): To be encouraged or persuaded to do something. One of the munchkins in Wicked is “encouragerized” to ask his love interest on a date.
- Festivating (verb): To celebrate a special occasion or event. The ensemble of Wicked use this term when they prepare for grand events such as graduation.
- Galindafied (adjective): A person who undergoes a makeover by the popular character named Galinda. To be “galindafied” means to be transformed, and feel pretty and confident.
- Gratitution (adjective): The feeling of gratefulness. For example, “How can I begin to express my gratitution?”
- Grimmerie (noun): Also known as the Ancient Book of Thaumaturgy and Enchantments, this is the powerful artefact that becomes key to Elphaba’s transformation.
- Hideoteous (adjective): A slang term coined by students at the magic school of Shiz. It is used to describe a ‘hideous’, grotesque choice of fashion. Galinda uses this adjective about the witch hat that soon becomes Elphaba's staple accessory.
- Horrendible (adjective): The clever blend of two negative adjectives, “horrible” and “horrendous”.
- Linguification (noun): A subject taught at Shiz University that focuses on the study of language, including word origins, meanings, and new word creation.
- Manifestorium (noun): A physical sign that reflects something internal, acting as an outward expression of deeper, often unseen, qualities or emotions. "Her green skin is but an outward manifestorium of her twisted nature!"
- Moodified (adjective): An emotion that means to be temperamental or moody.
- Outuendo (noun): A bold exclamation used when hearing controversial gossip. It refers to rumors that are more outrageous and scandalous than the typical innuendo.
- Ozmopolitan (adjective): A playful twist on the word “cosmopolitan” which describes urban areas. In the movie, it’s used to criticize Ozians (the rich citizens of the Emerald City) from less developed areas, suggesting they’re being pretentious or stuck-up.
- Rejoicify (verb): To celebrate numerous times for the same event.
- Scandalacious (adjective): Extreme mischievousness that one might consider a great piece of gossip to spread!
- Surreptitiously (adverb): To do something quietly or sneakily. This is an onomatopoeic word derived from the sound of Munchkins moving around quietly.
- Shiz (noun): Shiz University is the fictional school that students attend in Oz. It means “the best” or “the greatest”, implying that only the most elite students may attend.
- Thrillifying (adjective): Just as it sounds, this means “thrilling” or “exciting”.
- Swankified (adjective): A person of high class who dresses well and has expensive taste in clothing and accessories.
- Wizomaniac (noun): A die-hard fan of the Wicked stage show or movies may identify as a “wizomaniac”.
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