situationship
Label-free romantic limbo
A situationship is a romantic or sexual relationship that lacks clear definition or commitment.
It occupies the space between casual dating and an official partnership—more than friends with benefits, less than boyfriend and girlfriend.
The term emerged from dating culture to describe connections where neither party has explicitly defined what they are: We've been in a situationship for six months and I still don't know where it's going.
Relaxed and informal
- hookupCasual sexual encounter
- flingForceful toss, or tryst
- talking stageCourtship before commitment
- entanglementState of being intertwined
friends with benefits · sneaky link · roster · benching · breadcrumbing · ghosting · orbiting · slow fade
Not clearly delineated
- unclearNot easily understood
- unlabeledWithout identifying markers
- gray areaAmbiguous, ill-defined situation
- limboState of uncertain waiting
vague · uncertain · in-between · nebulous · murky · unresolved · confusing · mixed signals
A joining or relation
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- feelingsEmotional responses experienced internally
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
- bondingForming close connections
vulnerability · chemistry · spark · attraction · confusion · anxiety · insecurity · longing
Sending typed mobile messages
- dmMetric length unit
- soft launchRestricted preliminary debut
- hard launchSudden public relationship announcement
- story viewsAudience tally for content
emoji · read receipts · swipe · match · app · profile · unfollow · mute
Lines marking separation
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- defineState precise meaning
- labelsIdentifying markers attached to items
exclusive · official · serious · future · monogamy · partner · boyfriend · girlfriend
casual
Relaxed and informal
- hookupCasual sexual encounter
- flingForceful toss, or tryst
- talking stageCourtship before commitment
entanglement · friends with benefits · sneaky link · roster · benching · breadcrumbing · ghosting · orbiting · slow fade · exclusive
undefined
Not clearly delineated
- unclearNot easily understood
- unlabeledWithout identifying markers
- gray areaAmbiguous, ill-defined situation
limbo · vague · uncertain · in-between · nebulous · murky · unresolved · confusing · mixed signals · no labels
connection
A joining or relation
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- feelingsEmotional responses experienced internally
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
bonding · vulnerability · chemistry · spark · attraction · confusion · anxiety · insecurity · longing · frustration
texting
Sending typed mobile messages
- dmMetric length unit
- soft launchRestricted preliminary debut
- hard launchSudden public relationship announcement
story views · emoji · read receipts · swipe · match · app · profile · unfollow · mute · block
boundaries
Lines marking separation
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- defineState precise meaning
labels · exclusive · official · serious · future · monogamy · partner · boyfriend · girlfriend · status
- Neologismsselfie, blog, vlog, podcast, hashtag
- relationship statussingle, married, divorced, engaged, separated
- rom-comrom-com, romantic comedy, meet cute, meet-cute, love triangle
- dating slangghosting, breadcrumbing, talking, cuffing, red flag
- Online Romanceonline dating, dating apps, virtual date, Zoom dates, virtual hug
- psychobabbletriggered, gaslighting, toxic, trauma bond, narcissist
situationshipcommitted relationship
Mutual pledge between partners
marriage · engagement · partnership · long-term relationship · spouse
situationshipjust friends
Non-romantic close relationship
stranger · acquaintance · no contact · estrangement · celibacy
situation, relationship, situated, situate, situations, situational, situating