The A-Z of Dating

Whether you're new to dating or have overheard your single friends using terms you don’t quite get, this post is for you. Welcome to the A-Z of dating, and you’re welcome.

A – Acts of Service Doing thoughtful things for your partner that they truly appreciate.

B – Breadcrumbing Giving just enough attention to keep someone interested without fully investing in the relationship.

C – Catfishing Creating fake profiles or using deceptive photos online to mislead others.

D – DTF When someone types “DTF,” they’re likely not referring to Din Tai Fung. More often than not, it’s about casual intimacy.

E – Exclusive A mutual agreement to only date each other, no one else.

F – Friends with Benefits A friendship with an extra layer; casual intimacy without the commitment.

G – Ghosting When someone suddenly cuts off communication without any explanation.

H – Hinge Tagline: "the dating app designed to be deleted."

I – Ick A sudden, inexplicable feeling of disgust toward someone you were once interested in.

J – JOMO The Joy of Missing Out, because sometimes, skipping the dating drama is a relief.

K – Kittenfishing Misleading someone on a dating profile by using edited or deceptive photos, or lying about details like age or height.

L – Love-Bombing Overwhelming someone with excessive affection to establish control early in the relationship.

M – Micro-dating Embracing short, meaningful interactions, such as a quick coffee date to gauge compatibility.

N – Non-committal

A relationship where there is no expectation of long-term commitment or exclusivity.

O – Orbiting

When someone lingers around on your social media without engaging, especially after a breakup.

P – Physical Touch

One of the top love languages that you often see in dating apps prompt. It is what it is.

Q – Quality Time

Another love language focusing on spending meaningful, undistracted time together.

R – Red Flag

Warning signs or behaviours that suggest potential future issues in a relationship.

S – Situationship

An undefined, unclear relationship with no labels or commitment.

T – Talking Stage

The early phase of getting to know someone, before officially dating.

U – Undivided Attention

The act of giving someone your full focus and presence.

V – Vibing

When two people naturally click, and the connection feels effortless and organic.

W – Wokefishing

Pretending to care about social issues or causes just to appear attractive or virtuous to someone.

X – X-tra

Someone who is over-the-top in a relationship, whether through excessive gestures or intense emotions.

Y – YOLO

Embracing the "You Only Live Once" mentality in dating; taking risks and seizing opportunities.

Z – Zombie-ing

When someone who previously ghosted you reappears unexpectedly in your life.

Photo by Florian Klauer on Unsplash