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Dating can be a bit like learning a new language.
Some terms and phrases unique to the dating world can leave you feeling like you need a translator. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
In this dating glossary, we’ll decode the language of love, helping you confidently navigate the intricate dating world.
32 Key Dating Terms Everybody Must Know and How to Use Them
Here are 32 dating terms everybody starting or re-entering the exciting dating world must know. I’ve also included examples of adequately using them in sentences for your convenience.
Here’s the full list that I will use:
- Ghosting
- Catfishing
- Benching
- DTR
- Cuffing Season
- FWB
- Breadcrumbing
- Slow fade
- Cushioning
- Stashing
- Love bombing
- FOMO
- Haunting
- Ship (Relationship)
- Wingman/Wingwoman
- Red flag
- Chemistry
- Ghostwriter
- Cuffing
- Slow burn
- Love language
- DTF
- Zombieing
- Orbiting
- Submarining
- Roaching
- Gaslighting
- Catch and release
- Curving
- Monkeying
- Paperclipping
- Mirroring
For your convenience, I have also included links to articles on this blog where I discuss the terms you find in this glossary in greater detail after each section.
1. Ghosting
Definition: Ghosting is when someone you’ve been dating suddenly disappears, cutting off all communication without explanation. They become as elusive as a ghost.
Example: “We had a great date, but then he started ghosting me. I haven’t heard from him in weeks.”
I’d like you to please read my article about ghosting for more examples and how to avoid it.
2. Catfishing
Definition: Catfishing occurs when someone creates a fake online persona to deceive others, often in the context of online dating.
Example: “I thought I was talking to an amazing person online, but it turned out to be catfishing; the photo wasn’t even them.”
Here’s an article for more examples and how to avoid getting catfished.
3. Benching
Definition: Benching is when someone keeps you on the sidelines, showing intermittent interest but not committing to a relationship.
Example: “She’s been benching me for months, never quite committing to us being exclusive.”
4. DTR
Definition: DTR stands for “Define the Relationship.” It’s a conversation where two people discuss and clarify the nature of their relationship.
Example: “We need to have a DTR talk soon to figure out where this is going.”
5. Cuffing Season
Definition: Cuffing season is the period during fall and winter when people seek out relationships for companionship and warmth, often ending them when spring arrives.
Example: “I’m not looking for anything serious right now; it’s just cuffing season for me.”
For more tips, please read my article What Is the Cuffing Season?
6. FWB
Definition: FWB stands for “Friends with Benefits.” It refers to a relationship where two people engage in physical intimacy without the commitment of a romantic relationship.
Example: “We’re not dating, just FWB; we enjoy spending time together, but that’s it.”
This review shares more in-depth knowledge if you’re interested in a FWB.
7. Breadcrumbing
Definition: Breadcrumbing is when someone gives you just enough attention to keep you interested but never fully commits.
Example: “He’s always breadcrumbing me with occasional texts, but he never makes plans to meet up.”
Here is how to avoid breadcrumbing in your relationship.
8. Slow Fade
Definition: The slow fade is when someone gradually reduces communication and involvement in a relationship without explicitly ending it.
Example: “I knew it was over when he started the slow fade; he stopped calling and texting as frequently.”
9. Cushioning
Definition: Cushioning is when someone in a relationship keeps a backup option or “cushion” in case their current relationship doesn’t work out.
Example: “I hate to admit it, but I’ve been cushioning; I have someone else I’m talking to, just in case.”
For more insights, read my article “What Is Cushioning” that discusses what it is and shares a few examples to help you identify if your partner is doing that.
10. Stashing
Definition: Stashing is when someone keeps their partner a secret from their friends and family, often indicating a lack of commitment.
Example: “I suspect he’s stashing me; he’s never introduced me to any of his friends.”
Here are more examples of stashing and how to avoid it from happening to you.
11. Love Bombing
Definition: Love bombing is an intense and sudden show of affection and love to win someone over, often followed by manipulation.
Example: “At first, I thought he was perfect, but it turned out to be love bombing; he wanted something from me.”
Here are other examples of love bombing, as well as how to deal with it.
12. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Definition: FOMO refers to the fear that something better or more exciting might be happening elsewhere, causing someone to be hesitant or uncertain in their current relationship or dating situation.
Example: “I had a bit of FOMO about going exclusive with him because I thought there might be someone more compatible out there.”
For more examples and how to deal with FOMO in dating and relationships, read that article.
13. Haunting
Definition: Haunting is when someone from your past, such as an ex, continues to interact with your social media profiles or occasionally reappears in your life, even if the relationship has ended.
Example: “He’s been haunting my Instagram, liking posts from months ago, but we haven’t talked in ages.”
If you want to avoid it from happening to you, here’s how to avoid haunting in relationships.
14. Ship (Relationship)
Definition: “Shipping” is the act of supporting or endorsing a romantic pairing or relationship between two people, often fictional characters or real-life celebrities. It can also refer to expressing interest in a potential romantic relationship between two individuals.
Example: “I’ve been shipping those two since they first met; they’d make a great couple.”
15. Wingman/Wingwoman
Definition: A wingman or wingwoman is a friend who assists and supports you in approaching potential romantic interests, often helping break the ice and providing moral support in social settings.
Example: “My best friend is my wingwoman at parties; she’s great at introducing me to new people.”
Here are examples of when a wingman or wingwoman is helpful to you.
16. Red Flag
Definition: A red flag is a warning sign or indicator of potential problems or issues in a person’s behavior or a relationship. It suggests that caution or further investigation may be necessary.
Example: “When she refused to introduce me to her friends, it was a big red flag.”
For more examples, here are seven red flags in your relationship.
17. Chemistry
Definition: Chemistry refers to the strong emotional and physical connection between two people. It’s the feeling of attraction and compatibility that can be vital in romantic relationships.
Example: “We had amazing chemistry from the moment we met; it felt like we’d known each other forever.”
In this article, I share more insights into creating chemistry between two people.
18. Ghostwriter
Definition: A ghostwriter in dating can refer to someone who helps another person compose text messages or online dating profiles, essentially writing on their behalf.
Example: “I’m not great with online dating, so my friend acted as my ghostwriter to craft the perfect dating profile.”
19. Cuffing
Definition: Cuffing refers to the act of seeking a committed relationship, typically during the colder months of the year, to have a partner for companionship and warmth.
Example: “I’m looking for someone to spend the winter with; it’s cuffing season, after all.”
Here are the typical signs of cuffing discussed and how you can avoid falling for them.
20. Slow Burn
Definition: A slow burn is a relationship that develops gradually over time, with feelings and attraction intensifying gradually rather than being immediate.
Example: “Our relationship was a slow burn; we started as friends and fell in love over time.”
For a more in-depth discussion of this kind of relationships, please read my article “Unveiling the Power of a Slow Burn Relationship.”
21. Love Language
Definition: Love language is a concept that suggests people express and receive love in different ways, such as through words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, or physical touch. Understanding your partner’s love language can improve communication and connection.
Example: “My partner’s love language is acts of service, so I try to show my love by doing things for them.”
For more tips about love language, read my article “What is Your Love Language?” next.
Understanding these dating terms and phrases can help you navigate the dating world with more clarity and confidence, ensuring better communication and connections in your romantic pursuits.
22. DTF (Down to F*)**
Definition: DTF is an acronym used to indicate that someone is open to or looking for a casual sexual encounter without any emotional commitment.
Example: “She made it clear on her dating profile that she’s DTF and not interested in anything serious.”
For more tips on how to make a DTF-relationship work, read my article “What is DTF” next.
23. Zombieing
Definition: Zombieing is when someone who previously ghosted you suddenly reappears in your life, often with no explanation for their absence.
Example: “After ghosting me for months, he’s now zombieing me, texting like nothing happened.”
For a more in-depth discussion on zombieing in dating, including how to navigate the treacherous waters of this kind of behavior, read my article “Zombieing in Dating” next.
24. Orbiting
Definition: Orbiting is when someone you’ve dated or had a romantic interest in continues to engage with your social media posts and activities without direct communication.
Example: “He’s not texting me, but he’s constantly orbiting my social media; it’s weird.”
If you want a more in-depth explanation with more orbiting examples, click here to read my article “What Is Orbiting in Dating“?
25. Submarining
Definition: Submarining is when someone resurfaces in your life after ghosting without addressing their disappearance or offering an explanation.
Example: “He submarined me after vanishing for a year; I don’t know what to say.”
For more examples and an in-depth explanation, click here and read “What Is Submarining”?
26. Roaching
Definition: Roaching is the act of hiding the fact that you’re dating multiple people from a current partner, potentially leading to misunderstandings or complications.
Example: “I discovered he was roaching when I discovered he’d been seeing others without my knowledge.”
If you want to know how to correctly identify “roaching” in relationships, click here.
27. Gaslighting
Definition: Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation where someone tries to make you doubt your own reality, often by denying or distorting the truth to maintain control in a relationship.
Example: “He kept gaslighting me, making me question my own memory and feelings.”
For more in-depth analysis of how to call a gaslighter out, read this.
28. Catch and Release
Definition: Catch and release is a dating approach where someone enjoys the thrill of the chase and initial attraction but loses interest once the other person reciprocates or becomes emotionally invested.
Example: “He’s a catch and release type; he loses interest as soon as things get serious.”
If you want to know the pros and cons of the catch and release-method in dating, read this.
29. Curving
Definition: Curving is a polite way of rejecting someone’s advances or invitations by responding indirectly or with vague excuses rather than a straightforward rejection.
Example: “Instead of saying ‘no,’ she’s been curving his invitations to go out.”
30. Monkeying
Definition: Monkeying refers to the behavior of jumping from one relationship to another quickly without giving oneself time to heal or reflect on past experiences.
Example: “He’s been monkeying around, going from one relationship to the next without a break.”
To stop monkeying around, here are some valuable tips for you.
31. Paperclipping
Definition: Paperclipping is when someone who previously ghosted you unexpectedly resurfaces in your life, often with a vague or unrelated message.
Example: “After months of silence, he paperclipped me with a random ‘hello,’ and I was baffled.”
32. Mirroring
Definition: Mirroring is a psychological phenomenon in dating and social interactions where one person unconsciously imitates the gestures, speech patterns, or behaviors of the person they are interacting with. It often occurs when there is a strong rapport or connection between two individuals, signifying that they are in sync or on the same wavelength.
Example: “During our conversation, I noticed that she was mirroring my body language and tone of voice, which made me feel a strong connection and mutual understanding.”
Here is how to do authentic mirroring, and create a connection with someone.
Mirroring can be a subtle but powerful signal of mutual attraction and rapport between two people, demonstrating a harmonious connection in their interaction.
Conclusion
Navigating the dating world can be challenging, but understanding the dating glossary can make it a bit easier.
Armed with these definitions, you’ll be better prepared to communicate and decode the nuances of modern dating. Open and honest communication is the key to building meaningful connections in the dating world.
So, get out there, DTR, when necessary, and find the love you deserve!
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