Glossary of Dating Terms and Their Meanings

“As fuck.” Used for emphasis.

A term of endearment used for a romantic partner.

A late-night invitation for a sexual encounter, usually without any expectation of a relationship.

When someone keeps you on the backburner while they pursue other options.

When someone sends flirty or suggestive messages or signals with no intention of actually pursuing a relationship.

When someone creates a fake identity online to trick someone into a romantic relationship.

When someone ends a relationship or stops pursuing someone else in a respectful and honest way.

A term used to describe the act of getting into a relationship during the winter months, often with the intention of having someone to spend the colder months with.

When someone keeps other potential romantic interests on the backburner while they’re in a committed relationship.

When someone pursues someone else for a short period of time and then ends the relationship without explanation.

The period of time, usually in the fall and winter, when people are more likely to seek out a committed relationship.

A feeling of intense attraction or infatuation.

“Define the relationship.” When two people have been dating for a while and need to have a conversation to clarify where they stand.

A conversation in which two people discuss the nature of their relationship and whether they want to be exclusive.

A conversation in which two people become exclusive and stop seeing other people.

“Facebook official.” When two people make their relationship status public on Facebook.

Someone who boosts someone else’s ego but has no intention of pursuing a relationship.

“Friends with benefits.” When two people have a sexual relationship but don’t consider themselves to be in a committed romantic relationship.

When someone manipulates their partner into questioning their own thoughts and feelings.

When someone stops responding to your messages abruptly and cuts off all contact without explanation.

When someone blocks their partner on all forms of communication without explanation.

Spending time with someone in a casual setting, usually with no expectation of romance.

“In real life.” Used to distinguish between online and offline interactions.

Jealous

When someone exaggerates or misrepresents themselves on dating apps or social media.

Posting on social media to show off and seek validation.

When someone overwhelms their partner with excessive attention and affection.

“Fear of missing out.” Used to describe the anxiety people feel when

Posting on social media for the purpose of getting the attention of a crush or romantic interest.

An older person who financially supports a younger romantic partner.

When someone wears a hat in their online dating profile pictures to hide their baldness or hair loss.

When someone continues to engage with you on social media after ghosting you.

“I swear to God.” Used to express sincerity or frustration.

“Joy of missing out.” Used to describe people’s happiness when they skip out on an event or activity.

When someone uses heavily filtered or photoshopped images on their dating profile to misrepresent themselves.

When someone keeps a potential romantic interest on the backburner as a backup option while they pursue other options.

When someone showers their partner with excessive affection in the early stages of a relationship.

The way in which a person expresses and receives love, such as through physical touch, gifts, or words of affirmation.

Engaging in seemingly innocent actions that could be perceived as a betrayal by a romantic partner.

Looking at someone’s social media profile without their knowledge.

When someone insults their partner in order to make them feel insecure and gain power in the relationship.

When someone gives a backhanded compliment in order to make their partner feel insecure.

A euphemism for inviting someone over for a casual sexual encounter.

When two people in a committed relationship move in together and create a home together.

A sexual encounter with someone with no expectation of a continued relationship.

Sexual attraction to people of all genders.

A non-romantic friendship.

When someone is rejected or dumped by their romantic interest.

When someone you’re dating doesn’t introduce you to their friends or family, and keeps your relationship a secret.

A non-romantic relationship that is emotionally intense and usually includes physical intimacy.

The rejection of societal norms around relationships and the creation of relationships based on individual needs.

When someone hides the fact that they’re dating multiple people at once.

Short for “relationship.” Used to describe two people who are romantically involved.

To indicate interest in someone on a dating app.

A provocative photo or post intended to attract attention and validation from others.

A person who spends a lot of time on Tinder.

A relationship that’s not quite a romantic relationship, but more than a friendship.

A deliberate approach to dating that involves getting to know someone gradually over time.

When someone gradually becomes less and less communicative with you, eventually leading to a breakup without an explicit conversation.

“Shaking my head.” Used to express disapproval, disbelief or disappointment.

Similar to pocketing, but involves one person hiding the fact that they’re in a relationship from their social media profiles and online presence.

Someone who is overly eager or desperate for attention or affection from a romantic interest.

Someone who obsessively follows, contacts, or monitors another person without their consent.

When someone reappears in your life after ghosting you, but then disappears again without explanation.

A romantic relationship between three people.

A term of endearment used for a woman who is loyal to her romantic partner and helps them with their illegal activities.

When someone has feelings for someone else who does not reciprocate those feelings.

Going on dates or having a romantic relationship entirely online, often due to long distance or pandemic-related restrictions.

Giving someone a warning before breaking up with them.

A busybody or matchmaker who meddles in other people’s romantic affairs.

An assessment of someone’s personality or mood.

When someone pretends to be more socially aware or politically progressive than they actually are to attract romantic partners.

A friend who helps another friend meet potential romantic partners.

A virtual date conducted over video conferencing software such as Zoom.

Someone who suddenly reappears in your life after ghosting you.

When someone reappears in your life after ghosting you, but then ghosts you again.