The Complete (Updated) List of Online Dating Terms You Need to Know in 2025
Dating online is hard enough — now throw in a pile of made-up slang and weird behavior labels? It’s chaos.
If you’ve ever read something like “He breadcrumbed me after love bombing, then ghosted” and had no idea what’s happening — you’re not alone.
This is your no-fluff, updated online dating terms list for 2025. The glossary that finally makes sense of all the dating lingo being tossed around.
1. Ghosting
They disappear without a word. No texts. No closure. Just gone. Ghosting is the most common dating move no one brags about.
2. Breadcrumbing
Tiny bits of attention (likes, comments, “hey stranger” texts) just to keep you around — with no real intent to date.
3. Love Bombing
Coming in hot with compliments, plans, and energy — then pulling away once you get attached. Fast affection, fast confusion.
4. Benching
They like you — just not enough to actually date you. So they keep you on the bench while they explore other options.
5. Zombieing
Ghosted you months ago? Now they’re back like nothing happened. That’s a zombie. Run.
6. Orbiting
They won’t text you back, but they still watch your stories and like your posts. Not gone. Just lurking.
7. Catfishing
Fake pics. Fake profile. Fake life. Someone pretending to be someone else — usually way hotter.
8. Rizz
Short for charisma. If someone’s got rizz, they’ve got charm. It’s Gen Z’s way of saying they’ve got game.
9. Situationship
More than friends, not quite dating. There are feelings. There’s intimacy. But there’s no label or clarity.
10. Submarining
Like ghosting, but with a comeback. They disappear, then pop up months later acting normal.
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11. Cuffing Season
Fall/winter when everyone wants to “cuff” someone — not out of love, but to have someone to watch Netflix with until spring.
12. Hardballing
Being upfront about what you want from the start. “I want a relationship. If that’s not you, cool.” No games.
13. Soft Launch
Posting a pic with someone new — but not showing their face. Just a hand, a dinner plate, or a shadow. It’s your relationship teaser.
14. Thirst Trap
A hot pic posted just to get attention. Often used to spark likes from someone specific. Sometimes works. Always obvious.
15. Pocketing
You’re dating, but they won’t introduce you to anyone in their life. No friends. No family. No social tags. You’re in their pocket — hidden.
16. Wokefishing
Pretending to care about activism, feminism, or mental health just to seem like a better person — but it’s all performative.
17. Stashing
You’re around — but not public. Not on their IG. Not invited to stuff. It’s like pocketing, but sneakier.
18. Cloaking
You show up for the date — and they fully ghost you. Like a full-on no-show. Blocked before you can even ask why.
19. Roaching
When you find out the person you’re dating casually is actually dating way more people than they let on — like one cockroach turning into ten.
20. Green Flags
Not all slang is bad. Green flags are signs someone’s emotionally safe, consistent, and knows how to communicate. That’s the goal.
Final Word: This Online Dating Terms List Will Save You Time, Energy, and Headaches
Dating has its own language now. And if you’re not fluent, it’s easy to get played, confused, or stuck in something that never had a shot.
Keep this glossary close. It won’t stop the weirdness — but it’ll help you spot it before it messes with your peace.