10 Modern Dating Terms You Should Be Aware About

Back in the day, dating vocabulary was fairly straightforward — think “going steady,” “courting,” or “getting pinned.” These old-school terms didn’t leave much room for confusion. But today, the dating landscape has become much more complex, and with it, a whole new dictionary of modern dating terms has emerged.

Dating is no longer just about asking for a number, making a call, and heading out for dinner. The rules have changed, and so has the language. While you might already be familiar with terms like ghosting or DTF, others like cuffing, breadcrumbing, and haunting might still be puzzling.

If you’re navigating the dating world especially online you’re bound to come across these phrases. Understanding what they mean can help you decode behavior and make more informed decisions.

# Ghosting

One of the earliest and most recognizable modern dating terms, ghosting refers to the sudden and unexplained end of all communication. Without warning, someone might stop replying to texts, ignore calls, and disappear from your social media. It’s an avoidant—and often hurtful—way of cutting ties.

# Haunting

Think of haunting as ghosting’s unsettling sequel. After disappearing, this person reappears in your digital space by watching your stories or liking your posts—without ever reaching out. It's passive and confusing, keeping you wondering if they still care.

# Benching

Borrowed from sports lingo, benching means someone is keeping you around just in case, without making any real moves. You’re not entirely out of the game, but you're not actively playing either. It’s a form of emotional stringing-along.

# Catfishing

Widely known thanks to popular media, catfishing is when someone creates a fake persona online to attract others. This might include using someone else’s photos, heavily editing images, or lying about key details. Despite app features like photo verification, it still happens often enough to warrant caution.

# Breadcrumbing

A close cousin to benching, breadcrumbing is when someone sends sporadic, flirty messages just to keep you on the hook. It’s all about leading you on with little intention of anything real materializing.

# Orbiting

Orbiting is like a digital form of lingering. An ex or former flame may no longer speak to you, but they still circle your online presence—liking, watching, or occasionally DMing to stay in your orbit without re-entering your life fully.

# Cloaking

A harsher version of ghosting, cloaking involves someone not only disappearing but also actively blocking you across all platforms—erasing any trace of contact, often immediately after making plans or chatting frequently.

# Cuffing

Cuffing season happens in the colder months, when people seek short-term, cozy relationships to get through fall and winter. Once spring or summer hits, the relationship often dissolves.

# Left on Read

A modern communication woe: being left on read means someone saw your message—thanks to read receipts—but chose not to respond. It’s subtle but stings just the same.

# Negging

Negging is a manipulative tactic that involves giving backhanded compliments designed to undermine your self-esteem. Phrases like “You’re pretty smart—for someone like you” aim to shake your confidence so that you seek validation from the very person who undermined it.