Ghosting
noun /ˈɡəʊstɪŋ/ — Ending a relationship by suddenly vanishing without explanation.
Definition
The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication — disappearing like a ghost rather than having a direct conversation about ending the relationship.
Beyond the definition
Ghosting is the non-answer — the relationship that ends not with a conversation but with a silence that keeps extending. For the person who is ghosted, the ambiguity is the hardest part: is something wrong? Are they busy? Is it over? The slow realisation that the silence has answered all questions.
Origin & history
From ghost (a spectre, absent presence) + -ing. Emerged as a term in internet and dating culture in the early 2010s, particularly associated with digital dating where ending contact was as easy as not replying.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
After three months of dating, he ghosted her — messages left unread, calls unreturned.
The company ghosted the applicant after three interview rounds — no rejection, just silence.
She tried to understand ghosting as self-protection, but the absence of closure still stung.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Ghosting” when the meaning fits your context: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication — disappearing like a ghost rather than having a direct conversation about ending the relationship.
Synonyms
disappearing, silent rejection, vanishing
Antonyms
facing up, honest ending, closure
Related words
Ghosting vs breadcrumbing
Ghosting involves a complete, abrupt cessation of all communication. Breadcrumbing involves maintaining minimal, sporadic contact to keep someone interested without ever committing.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Empty Train Station Platform
An adult stands on a deserted railway station platform at dusk after the train has departed and disappeared.
The departed train that has left behind only an empty shadow is an analogy for ghosting. The sudden disappearance from the physical space without a farewell or explanation captures the experience of a relationship ending through silent withdrawal rather than direct conversation.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Ghosting" mean?
Ghosting is noun meaning: Ending a relationship by suddenly vanishing without explanation.. The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication — disappearing like a ghost rather than having a direct conversation about ending the relationship.
Where does the word "Ghosting" come from?
From ghost (a spectre, absent presence) + -ing. Emerged as a term in internet and dating culture in the early 2010s, particularly associated with digital dating where ending contact was as easy as not replying.