Definition of ghosting

Short definition: The word ghosting means suddenly disappearing from someone’s life without any warning, usually by stopping all messages and calls, leaving the other person confused and wondering what went wrong.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word ghosting? The word ghosting is very common in modern dating and online communication. People use it when someone suddenly disappears from conversations without any explanation. It can happen in friendships, romantic relationships, and even at work. For many people, ghosting feels confusing, hurtful, and frustrating, because there is no clear ending or reason given. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, so it feels real, human, and easy to understand.

Forms: ghosting, ghosted, ghost v.
Related: ignore v., silence n.
Syllable: ghost-ing

1. (Noun) Suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without giving any explanation.

   Ghosting means when someone completely stops replying to messages, calls, or emails and disappears from your life without saying why, leaving the other person confused and often hurt because there is no clear ending.

   After months of talking every day, she experienced ghosting when he suddenly stopped replying and never explained what went wrong.
   Being ghosted made him feel unsure about himself because he never knew the real reason for the silence.
   Many people talk about ghosting as one of the hardest parts of modern dating.

   Synonyms: sudden silence, disappearing act, cutting off contact, ignoring completely, vanishing without notice, silent treatment, dropping communication, going dark, no reply behavior, disappearing move, total ignore, digital disappearance
   Antonyms: honest conversation, clear ending, proper goodbye, open communication, explanation, closure, respectful ending, direct talk, clear message, formal goodbye, mature response, healthy communication

2. (Noun) A modern dating behavior where someone avoids conflict by disappearing instead of talking things out.

   In relationships, ghosting often happens when someone does not know how to say they are no longer interested, so they choose silence instead of having an uncomfortable but honest conversation.

   He admitted that he used ghosting because he did not know how to tell her he had lost interest.
   Many people see ghosting as an immature way to end a relationship.
   Therapy helped her understand that ghosting says more about the other person than about her.

   Synonyms: avoiding conflict, silent breakup, disappearing exit, quiet rejection, indirect ending, no words breakup, silent escape, emotional avoidance, running away behavior, conflict avoidance, easy way out, uncomfortable silence
   Antonyms: honest breakup, direct rejection, clear explanation, mature ending, respectful closure, open talk, proper discussion, face to face ending, kind honesty, clear decision, thoughtful goodbye, emotional maturity

3. (Slang) A casual way to complain about being ignored online.

   In everyday slang, people say they are being ghosted when someone stops replying to their messages, even in simple situations like group chats or work chats, not only in romantic relationships.

   I texted him three times and got nothing back, I think I’m being ghosted again.
   She joked that the group chat always ghosts her when she suggests meeting up.
   He said he felt ghosted by his coworkers after no one replied to his message.

   Synonyms: being ignored, left on read, no reply situation, silent treatment, message ignored, digital silence, unread messages, communication blackout, being left hanging, ignored feeling, no response vibe, social silence
   Antonyms: quick reply, active chat, clear response, being heard, open conversation, steady communication, fast answer, direct reply, ongoing talk, lively discussion, connected feeling, mutual response