Dating in 2024 has become a unique and complex world with its own language.
If you’ve been out of the dating scene, terms like “breadcrumbing” or “orbiting” might feel like a foreign language.
These words are more than trends—they show the realities and complexities of modern relationships.
It’s important to understand these terms, not just to stay up to date, but to help make sense of behaviours that can be confusing or misleading.
Whether you’re spotting red flags, recognizing meaningful connections, or avoiding emotional pitfalls, this dating dictionary is here to guide you through the complexities of modern relationships.
Here are 10 terms that shape today’s dating world.
1. Sneating
This playful term combines sneaky and eating, describing the act of dating someone with no romantic interest—just for free meals. While, it is a funny concept in itself, it somehow reveals the transactional part of some modern dating behaviours.
2. Orbiting
This frustrating behaviour involves someone cutting off direct contact but continuing to interact with your social media — viewing the stories, liking the posts, and staying within one’s “orbit” but not engaging meaningfully with someone.
3. Ghostlighting
It is considered a combination of ghosting and gaslighting. Ghost lighting is described as a situation in which someone vanishes suddenly and reappears later, acting as though nothing happened or denying the significance of the past relationship.
4. Textationship
These are digital relationships that occur only online. Constant texting, meme exchange, and daily chatter may lead to the misconception of having a relationship. However, when it reaches the level of meeting face-to-face or actualisation of real-life plans, it doesn’t work out.
5. Throning
Throning is the act of dating someone for status or fame. It has nothing to do with love or compatibility but with clout and influence. While it might seem strategic, it raises questions about authenticity in relationships.
6. Breadcrumbing
Breadcrumbing involves giving someone just enough attention in terms of flirty texts, vague plans, or occasional compliments to keep them hooked without taking the relationship to the next level. That’s another manipulative way of dangling someone.
7. Future faking
Future faking is when one makes big promises for the future: talking about vacations, marriage, or living together but has no intention of following through on these promises. It’s a method to keep someone emotionally hooked without ever actually committing to the relationship.
8. Caspering
A gentler, softer ghosting, Caspering is gradually letting go of a relationship without abruptly cutting off. There are less frequent texts and delayed responses before the relationship becomes dead altogether. Inspired by Casper the friendly ghost, it’s a way to end things gently, though it can still cause confusion.
9. Simping
Simping is going overboard in the name of attention or approval from someone. It takes many forms, including excessively complimenting someone, outlandish gestures, or putting someone else’s needs before your own, usually at the expense of self-respect.
10. Cuffing seasoning
Cuffing seasoning refers to starting a relationship during the colder months but keeping it casual, with no intention of serious commitment. It reflects a sense of companionship rather than a long-term investment.
Knowing these trending terms will allow you to understand the world of modern dating better. Whether it’s sneating, orbiting, or future faking, it’s easier to see the patterns and set those boundaries that matter when it comes to meaningful relationships. Little bits of insight go a long way in this world of love that is ever-changing.
