Dating Terms

In incel-related slang, to ascend means to cease being an incel, generally by losing one’s virginity and having sexual intercourse or by forming a romantic relationship.

In incel slang, ascension is the act or process of ceasing to be an incel, generally by having sex, losing one’s virginity, or entering a romantic relationship.

Beige Flag is a term used in modern dating. Its exact meaning depends on the behavior, stage, or expectation being described and on the context in which people use the term.

Breadcrumbing is giving someone occasional signs of attention or interest that keep them engaged without meaningfully pursuing an ongoing relationship.

Classcest is slang for a sexual or romantic relationship between classmates.

To cockblock is to interfere with or prevent someone’s attempt to pursue a romantic relationship or have sex. As a noun, cockblock can refer to the act itself or to a person who does it.

Cockblocking is slang for obstructing someone’s attempt to pursue a romantic relationship or have sex. It can describe the act itself or a person who gets in the way.

Consensual non-monogamy is an umbrella term for relationship agreements in which all partners consent to romantic, intimate, and/or sexual relationships involving more than one person.

A sexual or romantic relationship between people who are coursemates.

DTR is a term used in modern dating. Its exact meaning depends on the behavior, stage, or expectation being described and on the context in which people use the term.

Enjo kosai is a form of compensated dating in which young girls in Japan or Hong Kong provide companionship or sex to older men in exchange for money or luxury goods.

To flirt is to play at courtship or express sexual attraction in a light, playful way, often through conversation. “Flirt” can also mean a person who flirts frequently or an act of flirting.

Ghosting is abruptly ending communication with someone without explaining that the relationship or interaction is over.

A derogatory slang term for a celibate man, especially a Japanese man, who avoids dating and sexual relationships.

A jumpoff is a sexual partner who is more than a one-night stand but is not intended to become a long-term romantic partner.

Kittenfishing is a term used in modern dating. Its exact meaning depends on the behavior, stage, or expectation being described and on the context in which people use the term.

Kleptogamy is deceptive dating or mating in which someone imitates women’s attitudes or claims to share women’s views to obtain sex or marriage.

A late bloomer is a person who enters a romantic relationship or has sexual intercourse significantly later in life than is typical.

Love-shy describes someone who is ineffectual at courtship or at attaining sexual intercourse. As a rare noun, it refers especially to a man in that position.

Miscegenetic is an adjective describing an interracial marriage or other interracial sexual or romantic relationship.

Miscegenous describes an interracial marriage or other sexual or romantic relationship. It can also describe something relating to miscegenation.

Monogamy is a relationship structure based on romantic and/or sexual exclusivity between partners according to their agreements.

Night hunting is a traditional Bhutanese courtship custom in which a young man enters a young woman’s room through her window at night to engage in sexual activity.

An open relationship is a consensually non-monogamous relationship in which partners agree that one or both may have sexual or romantic connections with other people.

Polyamory is a form of consensual non-monogamy involving multiple romantic and/or intimate relationships with the knowledge and consent of the people involved.

In dating and sexual slang, “pull” means to attract someone and interest them in dating or pursuing them; in Ireland and the UK, it can also mean persuading someone to have sex.

Relationship anarchy is an approach to relationships that rejects predetermined hierarchies and rules in favor of agreements created by the people involved.

Satori is a mutant gene in Drosophila, the genus that includes fruit flies, associated with homosexual behaviour in males—specifically, courtship directed toward other males.

A sexual act performed by one person for another, usually outside a romantic relationship.

A sexually attractive, brooding, and intimidating man—often morally gray—who has powers connected with shadows or darkness.

A situationship is a romantic or sexual relationship that has not been clearly defined by the people involved, often leaving commitment, exclusivity, or expectations uncertain.

A slump is a period when someone has less sex or dating than they expected or usually experience.

A soft launch is an indirect or partial reveal of a romantic relationship, often through social media posts that hint at a partner without clearly identifying them.

Solo polyamory is a form of polyamory in which a person has multiple intimate relationships while maintaining an independent lifestyle rather than combining households or finances with partners.

A squish is a non-romantic, generally non-sexual infatuation with someone you are not dating, or the person who inspires that feeling. It is also called a platonic crush.

Swirl refers to interracial mingling, including interracial dating, sex, or marriage. As a verb, it can mean to mingle interracially; this usage is dated.

Teamcest is slang for a sexual or romantic relationship between teammates.

In dating and non-monogamy, a unicorn is a person who joins an existing couple for sex, dating, or a relationship, often as a third partner.

To confirm one’s identity, sex, or status as a human rather than a bot by providing a voice sample, often by telephone or during online dating.

Yuribait is media that teases a romantic relationship between female characters without explicitly confirming that the relationship exists. It can also refer to producing media in this way.