Chat SlangDating and relationship slang
Words for the early and messy stages of relationships.
People invent new words for relationship habits because the old words did not fit. These terms are used with a sense of humour and sometimes with some pain. Understanding them helps you read what friends are saying and talk about your own situation.
These are descriptions of behaviour, not insults. Use them to talk about what you want, not to label a person.
Situationship
A relationship with no clear label or commitment.
Example: "we are in a situationship"
Ghosting
Cutting off contact without any explanation.
Example: "he ghosted me for a month"
Breadcrumbing
Giving small bits of attention to keep someone interested without commitment.
Example: "she is breadcrumbing me"
Red flag
A warning sign about a person's behaviour.
Example: "never apologising is a red flag"
Green flag
A good sign about a person's behaviour.
Example: "he listens, which is a green flag"
Catfish
Someone who pretends to be a different person online.
Example: "the profile was a catfish"
Love bombing
Overwhelming someone with attention to gain control.
Example: "it felt like love bombing"
DTR
Define the relationship; the talk about what you are to each other.
Example: "we need a dtr talk"
Soft launch
Hinting at a new partner in a post without showing them.
Example: "she soft launched him with a hand photo"
Hard launch
Openly showing a partner for the first time.
Example: "the hard launch is today"
Talking stage
The early period of getting to know someone.
Example: "we are in the talking stage"
Simp
Someone who does too much for a person who does not return it.
Example: "do not simp for him"
Rizz
Charm in attracting someone.
Example: "he is all rizz"
Left on read
Seeing a message and not replying.
Example: "left on read again"
Benching
Keeping someone as a backup while dating others.
Example: "I felt benched"
Slow fade
Gradually reducing contact.
Example: "it was a slow fade"
Friend zone
Being seen only as a friend by someone you like.
Example: "he put me in the friend zone"
Ex
A former partner.
Example: "I ran into my ex"
Rebound
A relationship soon after a breakup.
Example: "he is a rebound"
Ick
A sudden loss of attraction because of a small thing.
Example: "that gave me the ick"
Questions people ask
Do these words mean the same everywhere?
Mostly, but not always. Slang changes with the group, the app and the year. Use the meaning here as the usual one and check with the context.
Why is a word not listed?
We list words that are common and not mainly abusive. Tell us on the contact page if you want one added.