situationships
Almost-relationships, not quite
A situationship is a romantic or sexual relationship that lacks clear definition or commitment—more than friendship, less than an official couple.
The term captures the ambiguity of modern dating where people may spend significant time together without establishing expectations: We've been in a situationship for months and I still don't know where we stand.
Unlike friends with benefits, situationships often involve emotional intimacy alongside the uncertainty.
Courtship before commitment
- ghostingAbruptly ceasing all communication
- benchingRemoving from active play
- slow fadeImperceptible decrease over time
- textingSending typed mobile messages
hookup culture · dating apps · casual · no strings · friends with benefits · entanglement · sneaky link · exclusive
Connection or fondness
- feelingsEmotional responses experienced internally
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- longingIntense, persistent desire
anxiety · jealousy · insecurity · frustration · hope · disappointment · confusion · invested
Not clearly delineated
- unlabeledWithout identifying markers
- gray areaAmbiguous, ill-defined situation
- limboState of uncertain waiting
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
confusion · mixed signals · vague · unclear · in-between · nebulous · unspoken · ambivalent
Firm pledge to act
- labelsIdentifying markers attached to items
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- exclusivityState of being limited
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
rules · arrangement · understanding · terms · distance · availability · consistency · intentions
Of body or matter
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- connectionA joining or relation
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
sleepovers · late nights · texting · pillow talk · closeness · attraction · spark · tension
talking stage
Courtship before commitment
- ghostingAbruptly ceasing all communication
- benchingRemoving from active play
- slow fadeImperceptible decrease over time
texting · hookup culture · dating apps · casual · no strings · friends with benefits · entanglement · sneaky link · exclusive · roster
attachment
Connection or fondness
- feelingsEmotional responses experienced internally
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
longing · anxiety · jealousy · insecurity · frustration · hope · disappointment · confusion · invested · guarded
undefined
Not clearly delineated
- unlabeledWithout identifying markers
- gray areaAmbiguous, ill-defined situation
- limboState of uncertain waiting
uncertainty · confusion · mixed signals · vague · unclear · in-between · nebulous · unspoken · ambivalent · noncommittal
commitment
Firm pledge to act
- labelsIdentifying markers attached to items
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- exclusivityState of being limited
communication · rules · arrangement · understanding · terms · distance · availability · consistency · intentions · honesty
physical
Of body or matter
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- connectionA joining or relation
cuddling · sleepovers · late nights · texting · pillow talk · closeness · attraction · spark · tension · passion
situationshipsmarriage
Formal union between partners
engagement · exclusive dating · going steady · domestic partnerships · betrothal
situationshipsmarriage
Formal union between partners
civil union · domestic partnership · engagement · betrothal · meeting the parents
situationshipslong-term relationships
love · true love · flings · one-night stands