ghosting

G

ghosting (metaphor, slang)
/ˈɡoʊstɪŋ/

Meaning

• Suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation.
• Avoiding confrontation by ignoring messages and refusing to engage.
• Disappearing from a relationship, workplace, or social setting without notice.
• Ending digital interactions by ceasing all responses on messaging platforms.

Variants

• ghosted (past tense)
• ghost (verb)
• ghoster (noun; a person who ghosts)

Example Sentences

1. After weeks of texting daily, he completely ghosted her, leaving her confused.
2. I thought we were close friends, but he ghosted me when I needed support.
3. The recruiter promised a callback but ended up ghosting all the applicants.
4. She didn’t want to have an awkward breakup talk, so she just ghosted him.
5. He ghosted his coworkers after quitting, ignoring all their messages.

Origin and History

The word “ghost” originally referred to spirits or apparitions in early English. Over time, it took on metaphorical meanings, including the idea of someone disappearing as if they never existed.

The verb “to ghost” first appeared in the 19th century, meaning “to move silently like a ghost,” describing someone leaving quietly without drawing attention.

Modern Use in Relationships

The use of “ghosting” to describe suddenly cutting off communication emerged in the early 2000s, especially with the rise of online dating. Messaging apps made it easier for people to disappear from conversations without confrontation. The earliest known usage dates back to 2004, referring to leaving suddenly without saying goodbye.

Popularization of the Term

The term gained traction around 2014 and became widely recognized in discussions about modern relationships. By 2015, it entered mainstream discourse when media outlets reported that actress Charlize Theron allegedly ended her relationship with Sean Penn by ghosting him. Since then, “ghosting” has become a widely used term in pop culture, reflecting a common phenomenon in dating and social interactions.

Synonyms

1. cutting off
2. disappearing act
3. silent treatment
4. vanishing
5. ignoring

Ignore, Internet Slang, Love, Relationship