Ghosting - meaning and definition
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Definition
Ending contact with someone suddenly and completely, without explanation, by no longer replying to messages or calls.
At a glance
- Ending contact suddenly, with no explanation.
- Common on dating apps, but it can happen in longer relationships too.
- Often leaves the other person confused and without closure.
- When it is safe, a short honest message is usually kinder.
In detail
Ghosting became a common word with the rise of dating apps, where it is easy to disappear from a conversation. It can happen after a few messages, several dates or even a longer relationship.
Being ghosted can cause confusion and self-doubt because there is no closure. People ghost for many reasons, including avoiding conflict, feeling overwhelmed or, in some cases, safety concerns. When there is no risk involved, a brief honest message is generally seen as kinder.
In a sentence
- We had three great dates and then he ghosted me.
- I don't want to ghost her, I'll just tell her I'm not feeling it.
Where the word comes from
From the image of disappearing like a ghost. It became a common dating word around 2015, and related terms such as zombieing and caspering followed.
Not to be confused with
- Slow fade
A slow fade reduces contact gradually rather than cutting it off at once.
Common questions
Is it ever okay to ghost someone?
If someone makes you feel unsafe, stopping contact without explanation is a reasonable choice. Otherwise, most people find a short honest message kinder.
How do you cope with being ghosted?
Remember that the silence says more about the other person's way of handling things than about you. Many people find it helps to stop waiting for an answer and talk it through with a friend.