Relationship Glossary

Clear definitions of dating and relationship terms — from attachment styles to modern dating behaviors.

Dating Patterns

BenchingBreadcrumbingDouble TextingGhostingHoneymoon PhaseHot and ColdKarmic RelationshipLeading Someone OnMixed SignalsOrbitingRebound RelationshipSituationshipSlow BurnSlow FadeSoft LaunchingSoulmateTalking StageThe IckTwin FlameZombie-ing

Relationship Dynamics

CodependencyCoercive ControlDARVODead BedroomEmotional AffairEmotional BlackmailEmotional LaborEmotional NeglectEnmeshmentExit AffairFinancial AbuseFlying MonkeysGaslightingGolden ChildGrass Is Greener SyndromeGrey RockingGrowing ApartGuilt-TrippingHealthy BoundariesHooveringIntermittent ReinforcementLove BombingMental LoadNarcissistic AbuseNarcissistic SupplyParentificationPeople-PleasingPush-Pull RelationshipRoommate SyndromeScapegoatScorekeepingSilent TreatmentSmear CampaignSunk Cost FallacyToxic RelationshipTrauma BondingTriangulationWalkaway Wife SyndromeWeaponized Incompetence

Attachment & Psychology

Abandonment IssuesAnxious AttachmentAttachment InjuryAttachment TheoryAvoidant AttachmentCo-RegulationConflict AvoidanceCore WoundDisorganized AttachmentEmotional DysregulationEmotional FloodingEmotional PermanenceEmotional RegulationEmotional UnavailabilityFawn ResponseFear of IntimacyFearful-Avoidant AttachmentHyper-IndependenceHypervigilanceInner ChildLimerenceObject ConstancyProtest BehaviorRejection SensitivityRelationship AnxietyRepetition CompulsionRetroactive JealousySecure AttachmentSelf-AbandonmentSelf-SabotageStonewallingTrauma Dumping

Connection & Intimacy

ChemistryCompersionEmotional AttunementEmotional IntimacyEmotional SafetyGreen FlagsInterdependenceLove LanguagesLove vs. AttachmentNew Relationship EnergyPlatonic IntimacySecure BaseVulnerability HangoverVulnerability in Relationships

Communication & Conflict

Active ListeningBids for ConnectionConflict StylesContemptDefensivenessDemand-WithdrawI-StatementsInvalidationLove MapNon-ApologyNonviolent CommunicationPassive-AggressionPursuer-DistancerRepair AttemptSoft StartupThe Four HorsemenTherapy-SpeakTone PolicingValidation

Modern Dating Terms

Beige FlagsCatfishingCuffing SeasonCushioningDating App FatigueDelusionshipDry TextingDTRFizzlingFriendzoneFuture FakingGhostlightingHardballingKittenfishingMicro-CheatingMonkey BranchingPaperclippingPocketingRizzRoachingSimpingSneaky LinkTextationshipThroningWokefishing

Confused by what someone's doing?

Definitions explain the term. Lainie helps you decode the mixed signals in your actual situation — judgment-free, anytime. 50 free messages, no credit card.

Download on theApp Store
50 free messages · No credit card · iOS