Welcome to the wild world of Gen Z dating, a landscape dotted with quirky terms that might make anyone older than 25 feel like they’ve stepped into a foreign country.
Language evolves, but these terms seem to have taken on a life of their own, becoming both intriguing and baffling.
Here’s a look at 17 dating terms that will make you wonder if you’re even speaking the same language sometimes.
1. Situationship
“Situationships” are the modern answer to ‘what are we?’ They’re everything you get in a relationship, minus the clear commitment. It’s a bit like having a cake but being told you can’t properly call it cake.
This term captures that vague in-between status where both parties are involved but non-committal. It’s not a boyfriend-girlfriend scenario, but you’re definitely more than just friends.
Why does it make some roll their eyes? Perhaps because it feels like a commitment phobia wrapped up in a trendy name rather than a true relationship. You’re left guessing and possibly feeling more confused than ever.
2. Breadcrumbing
Ever felt like Hansel or Gretel being led with bread crumbs? “Breadcrumbing” is exactly that—leaving just enough interest to keep someone around but never enough to form anything substantial.
It’s the epitome of mixed signals, where the breadcrumber keeps you in their orbit without ever offering anything real. Just when you’re about to give up, they throw another crumb your way.
This term is eye-roll-worthy because it creates a faux connection, where one party is unjustly hopeful while the other dangles interest like a carrot they never intend to share. The breadcrumb trail leads nowhere.
3. Ghosting
The term “ghosting” has been haunting the dating scene for years. It’s when someone you’re dating suddenly disappears like a specter, leaving no trace behind.
One minute you’re chatting, the next they’ve vanished into thin air—no calls, no texts, nothing. It’s as if they were never there.
This practice is particularly frustrating because it leaves the ghosted party without closure or explanation. It’s the ultimate vanishing act, and its continued prevalence makes one wonder about the state of modern communication etiquette.
4. Orbiting
Orbiting is like ghosting’s insidious cousin—it’s when someone cuts off direct communication but continues to follow you on social media.
They’re always there, watching your stories or liking your posts, but never actually talking to you. It’s an eerie reminder that they’re still around, just not in the way you’d hope.
This term earns its place on the eye-roll list because it signals an unwillingness to let go while refusing to engage meaningfully. It’s like being haunted by a social media ghost who just won’t move on.
5. Cushioning
Cushioning refers to the act of keeping potential romantic interests in the wings while you’re in a relationship, just in case it doesn’t work out.
It’s like having emotional airbags ready to deploy if things go south with your current partner—a safety net of sorts.
Why the eye-roll? Because it undermines the trust and sincerity that form the foundation of meaningful relationships. Rather than committing wholeheartedly, cushioners spread their attention thin, never fully investing in anyone.
6. Benching
“Benching” is the practice of keeping someone on the sidelines, like a substitute in a sports game, just in case you decide to pursue them later.
You’re interested but not enough to prioritize them, so they remain in limbo, always waiting for their chance that might never come.
This term’s eye-roll factor comes from its inherent indecisiveness—it’s stringing someone along without committing, leaving them in a perpetual state of waiting, which benefits no one but the bencher.
7. Dry Texting
Dry texting is like communicating with a brick wall—it’s when someone sends you dull, one-word responses that bring the conversation to a screeching halt.
There’s no enthusiasm, no engagement, just a barren desert of dialogue that leaves you wondering why you even bothered.
It’s eye-roll-inducing because it feels like pulling teeth trying to keep a conversation alive with someone who’s clearly uninterested but can’t seem to say so outright. It’s the texting equivalent of watching paint dry.
8. Soft Launching
Soft launching is the strategic art of subtly introducing your partner on social media without making it official.
Think of posting a picture of their hand holding yours, or a meal you’re sharing without showing their face—it’s the relationship tease.
This term might make you chuckle or cringe, as it reflects a hesitant approach to commitment, almost like testing the waters before going all in. It’s a careful dance of showing just enough to spark curiosity but holding back the full reveal.
9. Hard Launching
The hard launch is the grand reveal—a full-fledged announcement of your relationship to the world, complete with couple selfies and posts galore.
It’s the digital equivalent of shouting from the rooftops, “We’re together!” and leaving no room for doubt.
Eye-roll factor? While some see it as a sweet celebration, others find the fanfare a bit much, especially if done excessively. It’s a modern-day flair for dramatics in the age of social media oversharing.
10. Rizz
Short for charisma, “rizz” is what you have when you can charm the socks off someone with ease.
It’s that effortless allure some people possess, making them magnets in social situations, particularly in the dating scene.
While charming, the term itself can make some cringe, feeling like an unnecessary abbreviation for a quality we’ve long understood. Do we really need a new word for charisma? For Gen Z, apparently, the answer is yes.
11. Love Bombing
Love bombing is an intense, often overwhelming display of affection in the early stages of a relationship, intended to make the recipient feel swept off their feet.
It sounds romantic, but it can quickly become suffocating, as the affection feels more like a tactic than genuine emotion.
This term raises eyebrows because it highlights the fine line between romance and manipulation. It’s the emotional equivalent of fireworks—exciting at first, but potentially dangerous if not handled with care.
12. Gaslighting
Gaslighting remains a pervasive term, often misused, yet still relevant in the dating lexicon. It involves making someone doubt their own reality or feelings, essentially manipulating the truth.
The term originates from a play where a husband dims the gaslights and insists his wife is imagining it, hence the name.
Its eye-roll factor stems from its overuse in situations where simple misunderstandings occur. However, true gaslighting is a severe form of emotional manipulation, and recognizing it matters.
13. Delulu
Short for delusional, “delulu” is used to describe someone who’s overly hopeful or unrealistic about their crush or romantic situation.
It’s that friend who’s convinced their celebrity crush might actually notice them someday, despite all odds.
While endearing in small doses, the term can make some roll their eyes because it highlights a disconnect from reality, a whimsical state that’s both amusing and cringe-worthy in its own right. Yet, a little fantasy never hurt anyone, right?
14. Vibe Check
“Vibe check” is the momentary evaluation of the energy or atmosphere of a person or place, typically used to determine if they’re worth engaging with.
It’s a snap judgment, often made within seconds, to decide if the potential connection feels right.
This term prompts eye-rolls because it emphasizes the superficiality of snap judgments in a world where deeper connections often require time and patience. But in the fast-paced dating landscape, first impressions count more than ever.
15. Main Character Energy
Having “main character energy” means living life as though the world revolves around you, as if you’re the star of your own impressive storyline.
It’s about embracing confidence and self-assurance, often with dramatic flair.
While empowering, the term might induce eye-rolls because it borders on narcissism, encouraging a level of self-absorption that can be alienating. It’s a fine line between self-love and self-centeredness, and recognizing this distinction is key.
16. Simp
The term “simp” has gained traction as a descriptor for someone who shows excessive sympathy or attention to another person, often in a submissive way.
It’s usually used to poke fun at someone who seems to care too much, almost like a modern-day knight in shining armor, but without the valor.
This term makes some people roll their eyes because it trivializes genuine kindness and affection, reducing meaningful gestures to mere mockery. But for those who wear their hearts on their sleeves, being a simp isn’t all bad.
17. Catch Flights, Not Feelings
This slogan captures a carefree, commitment-free approach to life and relationships, advocating for adventures over emotional ties.
It’s the mantra of those who prioritize experiences and travel over settling down and forming attachments.
The eye-roll comes from its almost clichéd nature, where the quest for independence is sometimes used to justify emotional avoidance. While it can seem liberating, it may also reflect modern commitment phobia, a nod to the wandering hearts of today’s youth.