The Ultimate Guide to Gen Z Relationship Terms

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Design: Tiana Crispino

Updated Feb 10, 2025

I'm a millennial. I grew up wearing butterfly clips, bell bottom jeans and graphic tees. I had a Tamagotchi, a see-through phone and a bright purple inflatable couch. So yes, I need to do research to keep up with Gen Z relationship terms and Gen Z slang.

Do you also hate TFW you have no clue what people are talking about? Consider this your official guide to the top Gen Z dating terms from A to Z.

Dating Trends to Keep on Your Radar

The Gen Z Dating Dictionary

After learning these definitions, you'll be able to decode the latest Gen Z lingo and confidently join any convo.

Affordating

verb—going on affordable dates

BAE

acronym—before anyone else

Beige Flag

noun—1. unoriginal or dull dating app prompt responses, photos and/or conversation starters; 2. a partner's unique quirks and innocuous habits
Someone's dating app "beige flag"could be that they answer the dating prompt, "The best way to get to know me," with "Just ask." The answer is overused and isn't a good conversation starter. A partner's "beige flag" could be that they never press "stop" on their alarm so it goes off every nine minutes.

Dating Trends to Keep on Your Radar

Benching

verb—when someone casually dates a partner without committing, essentially keeping them as an "option"

Breadcrumbing

verb—providing a partner with just enough affection to maintain their attention while never progressing the relationship

Breadcrumbing is new Gen Z lingo, but being led on is nothing novel. A lot of people have experienced the lack of communication, canceled plans and mixed signals.

Catch Feels

verb—starting to develop romantic feelings for someone

Cuffing Season

noun—the time of year when people are more likely to seek a relationship, typically during the colder months

When the temperatures drop, cuffing season starts. Instead of hibernating alone, people pair up to, well, weather out the weather together.

Cushioning

verb—when someone flirts with other people and "keeps their options open" even though they're in a committed relationship

Delusionship

noun—an imagined or idealized relationship that isn't based in reality

If someone fantasizes about a future with someone they haven't met, interact with sporadically or who isn't as invested in the relationship, it might be a delusionship.

DINK

acronym—dual income no kids; a lifestyle that some couples seek categorized by two income streams and no children

While the concept isn't new, the term trended on TikTok when people shared videos about their "DINK era." Some plan to have kids in the future, and others never want kids.

Dry Dating

noun—the practice of abstaining from alcohol during dates
Gen Z daters are leading the dry dating trend in an effort to be present and engaged on dates, whether it's the first date or the fiftieth.

DTR

acronym—define the relationship
The DTR conversation helps people get on the same page about their relationship status. It often starts with, "What are we?"

Enmeshment

noun—a relationship in which the partners and their lives have become so intertwined, boundaries are ignored or blurred

Fexting

verb—to fight with a partner over text message, reportedly coined by former first lady Dr. Jill Biden

Freak Matching

verb—when a dater looks for a partner with shared quicks and interests, coined by Plenty of Fish

Freckling

verb—the act of entering into a more serious relationship during the warmer summer months, before ending the relationship during the fall or winter season

Future-Proofing

verb—when a dater asks important questions early in the dating process to determine long-term compatibility, coined by Bumble

Ghosting

verb—when someone suddenly stops communicating without explaining it

Ghosting is essentially a Gen Z term for "ignore." In a dating scenario, it could mean the person stops responding instead of explaining that they aren't interested.

Groundhogging

verb—when someone repeatedly pursues relationships with the same type of person but expects different results

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Hardballing

verb—when a dater shares their expectations before a first date

Ick

noun—an immediate "turn off" toward someone, often for something superficial

You may have heard people say they have "the ick" for anything from seeing their crush wear socks with sandals to clapping when the plane lands.

ILY

acronym—I love you, essentially Gen Z slang for "love"

Intentional Dating

verb—when a dater knows their relationship values and goals and only dates people who are likely to be compatible

Some people create "love lists" and relationship vision boards to "manifest" their ideal partner and relationship. These intentional dating strategies can help them find a long-term partner.

Kittenfishing

verb—when someone misrepresents themselves on dating apps with smaller lies than the more overt catfishing

Who hasn't been on a date with someone who said they were 6 '2 but really they are 5' 9 or someone who clearly used photos from a decade ago? If that sounds all too familiar, you could say you were kittenfished.

Loud-Looking

verb—when people share their dating or relationship goals on their dating app profile, coined by Tinder

Love Bombing

verb—the unhealthy and potentially abusive behavior of showering excessive flattery and/or gifts for the purpose of manipulation

Some examples of love bombing are giving expensive gifts, texting or calling frequently, wanting to be together constantly and saying things like "I love you" or "You're my soulmate" early in the relationship. If it feels "too good to be true" or seems like things are moving too fast, it could be love bombing.

Micro-mance

noun—small romantic gestures, coined by Bumble

Orbiting

verb—when an ex stops communicating IRL, but continues interacting on social

Pocketing

verb—a verbal or nonverbal refusal to introduce a partner to family and friends or share photos on social media

Rizz

noun—the ability to attract people by being charismatic

FYI: Rizz is short for charisma. Like many Gen Z terms, it gained popularity on TikTok.

Roommate Syndrome

noun—when a romantic relationship begins to feel platonic once a couple moves in together

Some tell-tale signs of roommate syndrome are less physical and emotional intimacy, fewer dates and spending more time apart.

Ship

verb—being in favor of a relationship between two people

Situationship

noun—a romantic or sexual relationship that remains undefined

If there's a lack of communication, clarity and commitment, the "relationship" might be a situationship.

Sneaky Link

noun—a secret lover

Slow Fade

noun—when someone ends a relationship or situationship by slowly decreasing communication, instead of having an honest conversation

Soft Launch

noun—the subtle reveal that you're in a relationship by sharing slightly obscured photos of your partner on social media

A soft launch suggests someone is in a relationship, like a close-up of two people holding hands. The hard launch reveals who the person is dating, making it "Instagram official."

Soul Tie

noun—a deep emotional and spiritual bond between two people

Stonewalling

verb—when someone in a relationship responds to conflict by becoming emotionally and/or physically distant

Some signs of stonewalling are avoiding eye contact, using the silent treatment, walking away from a conversation and dismissing their partner's feelings.

Talking Stage

noun—the early stages of dating before defining the relationship

Twin Flame

noun—1. an intense soul connection, not necessarily romantic in nature, based on the concept of one soul being split into two bodies; 2. a type of soul tie