From ‘throning’ to ‘caspering’: how many Gen Z dating terms do you know?
FROM Caspering to Troning, the language of love can be difficult to understand.
Whether you’re playing on the field or looking for The One, we translate the latest entries from the dating dictionary. . .
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Sleighing: Keep this in mind as temperatures drop.
Sledding is where people drag out relationships they are no longer interested in just for the convenience of a celebratory fling.
By next spring they will be gone.
THRONES: If someone dates for social status and to increase their reputation rather than love, they are guilty of thrones.
READ MORE ABOUT GEN Z DATING
WOKEFISHING: Wokefishing, a cousin of catfishing, is when someone pretends to be socially conscious to attract a mate.
If your dating bio has hashtags like #EcoWarrior but your trash is always empty, this is for you. . .
POCKETING: This is when you are hidden from your partner’s social circle.
If you haven’t met their family and hang out with their friends, you’re being pocketed.
It could be a sign that they don’t see it future with you, or they are seeing someone else.
CASTERING: Ghosting, but friendlier – like that lovable movie ghost. Instead of suddenly disappearing, your date will send sporadic replies and vague excuses until the connection slowly fades away.
REVENUE: Just when you think they’re gone for good and you’ve moved on, they come back.
They may offer some sort of apology or apology to win you over, or they may assume that you’re happy to pick up where you left off.
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COLLABORATION-DATING: For Gen-Z singles, dating and content creation go hand-in-hand.
And collaborative dating isn’t just about meeting someone you like, it’s about building a bond over shared projects, like creating playlists or making TikToks.
Every date becomes a creative partnership, where love and likes come together in one photogenic package.
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FREAK MATCHING: Inspired by singer Tinashe’s viral TikTok track Nasty, it’s less dirty than it sounds.
Freak-matching is connecting with someone through your shared quirks and unique interests. In 2025, it’s less about fitting into a mold and more about showing your true – strange – self.
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SHADOW PHASE: In the early stages of a relationship, shadow phasing occurs when someone refers to their new partner on social media without going completely public.
They’ll share glimpses — a cropped photo here, a handle there — as the couple quietly builds a stronger connection away from their screens.
FLEX DATING: Gen Z is all about keeping it casual yet impactful, and Flex meetings are the ultimate way to fit dating into their busy lives.
Think quick, last-minute hangouts with a shared goal, like exercising, grabbing a smoothie or running errands.
These spontaneous dates allow singles to get to know each other without committing too much.
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Top reasons for sledding:
- Having someone to have sex with (60%)
- Having someone to cuddle with when it’s cold (50%)
- To avoid feeling lonely during this magical time of the year (40%)
- To avoid answering questions about being single (30%)
- To take someone to Christmas and New Year’s parties (20%)
