From ‘throning’ to ‘caspering’ and ‘shadow phasing’ – Gen Z dating terms are a minefield. How many do you know?
FROM Caspering to throning, the language of love can be difficult to understand.
Whether you are playing the field or hunting for The One, we translate the dating dictionary’s newest entries . . .
SLEDGING: Beware of this as the temperature drops.
Sledging sees people dragging out relationships they are no longer interested in just for the convenience of a festive fling.
Come spring, they will be gone.
THRONING: If someone dates for social status and to boost their reputation rather than love, they are guilty of throning.
WOKEFISHING: A cousin of catfishing, wokefishing is when someone pretends to be socially conscious to attract a partner.
If your dating bio has hashtags like #EcoWarrior but your recycling bin is always empty, this is aimed at you . . .
POCKETING: This is when you are kept hidden from your partner’s social circle.
If you have not met their family and do not hang out with their friends, you are being pocketed.
It could be a sign they do not see a future with you, or they are seeing someone else.
CASPERING: Ghosting, but friendlier — like that loveable movie ghost. Instead of suddenly disappearing, your date will send sporadic replies and vague excuses until the connection slowly fizzles.
REVENANTING: Just when you think they are gone for good and you have moved on, they return.
They might offer some sort of an apology or excuse to win your over, or they will assume you are happy to pick up where you left off.
COLLABOR-DATING: For Gen-Z singletons, dating and content creation go hand in hand.
And collabor-dating is not just about meeting someone you fancy, it is about bonding over shared projects, such as creating playlists or making TikToks.
Every date becomes a creative partnership, blending love and likes into one photo-genic package.
FREAK MATCHING: Inspired by singer Tinashe’s viral TikTok track Nasty, it is less dirty than it sounds.
Freak matching is connecting with someone over your shared quirks and unique interests. In 2025, it is less about fitting a mould and more about showing your true — weird — self.
SHADOW PHASING: In the early stages of a relationship, shadow phasing is when someone hints at their new partner on social media without going fully public.
They will share glimpses — a cropped photo here, a hand-hold there — while the couple quietly build a stronger connection away from their screens.
FLEX DATING: Gen Z are all about keeping things casual but impactful, and Flex meet-ups are the ultimate way to fit dating into their busy lives.
Think of quick, last-minute hangouts with a shared goal, like a workout, grabbing a smoothie or running an errand.
These spontaneous dates let singles get to know each other without over-committing.
Top reasons for sledging:
- To have someone to have sex with (60%)
- To have someone to cuddle with when it’s cold (50%)
- To avoid feeling lonely in this magical time of year (40%)
- To avoid answering questions about being single (30%)
- To have someone to bring to Christmas and New Year’s parties (20%)