Cuffing season - meaning and definition
Alsocuffingcuffedwinter dating season
Definition
Informal name for the colder months, when many single people are said to look for a partner to share the season with.
At a glance
- Informal name for the colder months.
- Single people are said to look for a partner to share the season with.
- More cultural observation than science.
- Dating apps often report seasonal peaks in activity.
In detail
The phrase draws on "handcuffed" as a joking word for being in a relationship. It suggests that autumn and winter, with holidays and long evenings, make people more inclined to seek companionship.
The idea is more cultural observation than science, although dating apps often report seasonal peaks in activity. Some people use it to ask whether a new connection is serious or only seasonal.
In a sentence
- It's October, so cuffing season has officially started.
- Is this serious, or am I just your cuffing season plan?
Where the word comes from
From handcuffed, a joking word for being tied down in a relationship. The phrase became common American slang in the early 2010s.
Common questions
When is cuffing season?
It is usually described as running from autumn through winter, roughly from October to February in the Northern Hemisphere. The idea is informal, so timing varies.