flirtationships
Playful almost-dating dynamics
A flirtationship is a relationship that hovers between friendship and romance—more charged than ordinary friendship but never quite crossing into dating.
The flirting is mutual and ongoing, but neither person pushes for commitment: We've had a flirtationship for years but nothing's ever happened.
The term captures arrangements that are deliberately ambiguous or stuck in limbo.
Not clearly delineated
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- limboState of uncertain waiting
- tensionStretched or strained state
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
will-they-won't-they · entanglement · complicated · in-between · unspoken · uncertain · toying · breadcrumbing
Fluttering insects or nervousness
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- longingIntense, persistent desire
hope · frustration · attachment · crush · infatuation · pining · daydreaming · overthinking
Sending typed mobile messages
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
- InstagramPhoto-sharing social platform
- SnapchatDisappearing multimedia messenger
- streaksLong thin marks
online · long-distance · virtual · memes · notifications · tagging · ghosting · unmatching
Relaxed and informal
- non-committalAvoiding definite position
- platonicFriendly without romance
- harmlessCausing no injury
- innocentFree from moral wrong
safe · uncommitted · freedom · flexibility · disposable · temporary · convenient · experimental
Fellow employee
- officeProfessional work location
- SlackBusiness communication software
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- HREmployee management department
boundaries · meetings · conferences · networking · inappropriate · discreet · secret · colleague
undefined
Not clearly delineated
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- limboState of uncertain waiting
- tensionStretched or strained state
chemistry · will-they-won't-they · entanglement · complicated · in-between · unspoken · uncertain · toying · breadcrumbing · benching
butterflies
Fluttering insects or nervousness
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
longing · hope · frustration · attachment · crush · infatuation · pining · daydreaming · overthinking · anxiety
texting
Sending typed mobile messages
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
- InstagramPhoto-sharing social platform
- SnapchatDisappearing multimedia messenger
streaks · online · long-distance · virtual · memes · notifications · tagging · ghosting · unmatching · swiping
casual
Relaxed and informal
- non-committalAvoiding definite position
- platonicFriendly without romance
- harmlessCausing no injury
innocent · safe · uncommitted · freedom · flexibility · disposable · temporary · convenient · experimental · exploratory
coworker
Fellow employee
- officeProfessional work location
- SlackBusiness communication software
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
HR · boundaries · meetings · conferences · networking · inappropriate · discreet · secret · colleague · cubicle
flirtationshipsmarriage
Formal union between partners
committed relationship · engagement · domestic partnership · civil union · betrothal
flirtationshipsexclusive dating
Romantic commitment to one person
Facebook official · going public · meeting the parents · strangers