What does Ghosting mean?
Ghosting means ending contact by disappearing without an explanation. It is often discussed in dating, but people also use it about other connections.
Also written: ghosted · to ghost
The meaning
In the relationship sense, someone who was communicating stops responding and leaves the other person without a clear goodbye or reason. The word describes the unexplained loss of contact; it does not tell you why the person disappeared. It may concern messages, calls, or plans after a connection has already formed.
What’s the tone?
Disappointed, critical, or matter-of-fact.
When and how to use it
Use it when talking about a sustained disappearance from communication, rather than immediately labeling a delayed reply. Context matters: people have different response habits, and one unanswered message may leave the situation uncertain. In dating conversation, saying I got ghosted usually means the speaker feels contact ended without closure.
In a conversation
Original examples to illustrate the expression.
We made plans, but they haven't answered any of my follow-up messages.
You think they're ghosting?
Possibly. I still don't know what happened.
Easy to misread
Ghosting has separate meanings in screens and images, where repeated outlines appear. A clear goodbye or agreed break is also different from an unexplained disappearance.
A little context
Dictionary.com records the social-contact meaning, while Collins independently defines the romantic-relationship sense. This entry focuses on that overlap and avoids attributing motives or assigning a first inventor.
Sources & further reading
These sources support the explanation. The dialogue above is original.
- Ghosting — definitionDictionary.com · Checked Oct 5, 2026
Records suddenly ending contact without explanation and distinguishes technical senses.
- Ghosting — definitionCollins Dictionary · Checked Oct 5, 2026
Defines ending a romantic relationship through nonresponse.
Prepared with AI assistance and automated quality checks. Meanings can vary by context. Read our editorial policy.