Ghosting someone
Meaning
To abruptly end all communication with someone without explanation, often in romantic or social contexts.
Origin
The chilling act of suddenly vanishing from someone's life, leaving them with no explanation or goodbye, isn't new, but its evocative name, "ghosting," is a product of the digital age. As online dating and social media exploded in the early 21st century, the ease of simply ceasing all communication—blocking numbers, unfollowing, ignoring messages—made this cold disappearance increasingly common. The term perfectly captures the essence of this abrupt, silent departure, likening the disappearing individual to a spectral presence that simply phases out of existence, leaving behind only an unsettling void.
Examples
- After a few promising dates, he just started ghosting her, and she never heard from him again.
- I can't believe she's ghosting all her old friends just because she moved to a new city.