Long-distance relationship - meaning and definition
AlsoLDRlong distance relationshiplong distancelong-distance datingdistance relationship
Definition
A romantic relationship in which partners live far apart and cannot see each other in person regularly.
At a glance
- Partners live far apart and cannot meet in person regularly.
- Often shortened to LDR.
- Calls, video, messages and planned visits help keep the connection.
- Research suggests long-distance couples can be as satisfied as nearby ones.
- A shared plan to eventually close the distance is often seen as helpful.
In detail
Long-distance relationships are common among students, people working abroad and couples who met online. Partners rely heavily on calls, video, messages and planned visits to stay connected.
Research suggests that long-distance couples can be as satisfied as geographically close ones, especially when they communicate intentionally and share a plan for eventually closing the distance. On dating profiles, "no LDR" or "open to LDR" signals whether someone is willing to date across distance.
In a sentence
- We've done long distance for a year, and we finally move to the same city in June.
- My profile says open to LDR because I travel a lot for work.
Not to be confused with
- Living apart together
Living apart together usually describes partners who live nearby but choose separate homes.
Common questions
Can long-distance relationships work?
Yes. Research suggests they can be as satisfying as other relationships, particularly when partners communicate intentionally and share a plan for the future.
What does no LDR mean on a dating profile?
It means the person is not looking to date someone who lives far away.