Dating Glossary
Dating Glossary: Every Dating Term Explained
From ghosting to situationships — the complete dictionary of modern dating terms. Know the lingo before you swipe.
Breadcrumbing
Sending sporadic, non-committal messages to keep someone interested without any intention of actually meeting up or pursuing a relationship. Like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs.
Cushioning
Keeping backup romantic interests ('cushions') while in a relationship, in case the main relationship ends. A red flag indicating lack of commitment.
Dealbreaker
A trait or behavior that automatically disqualifies someone as a potential match. On RED FLAGD, you can set dealbreaker red flags that filter incompatible profiles from your matches.
Dogfishing
Using someone else's dog (or a borrowed dog) in your dating profile photos to appear more attractive. A deceptive dating practice.
DTR (Define the Relationship)
The conversation where two people decide what they are to each other — exclusive, casual, or something in between. Avoiding this conversation is a common red flag.
Ghosting
Suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation. The #1 most common red flag on dating apps, appearing on 20% of profiles. A deeply hurtful avoidance behavior.
Green Flag
A positive sign or trait in a potential partner that indicates emotional maturity, honesty, or relationship readiness. The opposite of a red flag.
Haunting
When someone who ghosted you starts lurking on your social media — viewing your stories, liking old posts — without ever reaching out. A milder form of breadcrumbing.
Kittenfishing
Mildly misrepresenting yourself online — using old photos, exaggerating height, or overstating hobbies. Less extreme than catfishing but still deceptive.
Love Bombing
Overwhelming someone with excessive affection, gifts, and attention early in a relationship to gain control. Often a precursor to emotional abuse. A major red flag.
Orbiting
When someone stops talking to you but continues to engage with your social media content — watching stories, reacting to posts — keeping themselves in your orbit.
Phubbing
Ignoring your partner by being on your phone instead of paying attention to them. Phone snubbing. A modern relationship red flag.
Pocketing
When your partner keeps you hidden from their friends and family, never introducing you or bringing you to social events. Indicates they're not serious about the relationship.
Red Flag
A warning sign or problematic trait in a potential partner that suggests the relationship may be unhealthy. On RED FLAGD, users select their own red flags to match with people who accept or share them.
Roaching
When someone you're seeing is secretly seeing multiple other people, revealed only when you try to commit. Named after cockroaches that scatter when the light turns on.
Situationship
A romantic relationship that's more than casual but lacks the commitment label. You're more than friends but not officially dating. Often a source of confusion and anxiety.
Slow Fade
Gradually reducing contact and emotional investment until the relationship ends without a formal breakup. The coward's ghosting.
Submarining
When someone who ghosted you suddenly resurfaces weeks or months later, acting like nothing happened. Like a submarine surfacing.
Super Like
A way to show someone you're especially interested before they decide on your profile. On RED FLAGD, you get free super likes daily — unlike Tinder where they cost money.
Swipe Fatigue
The exhaustion and burnout that comes from endlessly swiping through dating profiles without meaningful connection. RED FLAGD combats this with personality-based daily matches.
Ugly-Crying Selfie
Posting a selfie while visibly upset to signal emotional vulnerability or elicit sympathy from matches. Can be a manipulation tactic.
Zombieing
When someone who ghosted you rises from the dead and reaches out again, usually with a casual 'hey' as if nothing happened. Similar to submarining.
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