The classics

The terms you'll hear most often, on dating sites and off them.

Catfishing

When someone sets up a profile using someone else's photos or identity, or seriously misrepresents who they are. Catfish usually keep things online and find reasons to avoid meeting or video calling.

Look for the ID Verified tick, and read our guide on how to spot a fake dating profile.

Ghosting

When someone you've been talking to or dating suddenly stops replying, with no warning and no explanation. Like a ghost, they simply vanish.

On Plenty More Fish, members who reliably reply earn the Anti-Ghosting badge. And if you're the one who wants to step back, here's how to let someone down gently.

Submarining

When someone who ghosted you suddenly resurfaces, with no apology or explanation, acting as if nothing happened.

Breadcrumbing

Stringing someone along with the odd flirty message, with no real intention of meeting or taking things further. Just enough attention to keep your hopes up.

Sliding into the DMs

Sending someone a flirty private message. DM is short for direct message.

Cuffing season

The colder months, when people who are usually happy being single suddenly want someone to curl up with until spring.

Meet-cute

The charming story of how a couple first met, the kind you'll be telling for years.

Bae

An affectionate name for a partner, from "babe" or "baby". It's also used to mean something you love, as in "Sunday roast is bae".

A few more you might come across

Newer phrases that are worth knowing, especially the ones that warn you something isn't right.

Love bombing

Showering someone with compliments, attention and talk of the future very early on. It can feel lovely, but it's also a common tactic of romance scammers.

Very strong feelings, very fast, is one of the red flags in our fake profile guide.

Situationship

Something more than a friendship but less than a relationship, where neither of you has said what it is.

Not sure which one you're in? Read Relationship or situationship?

The slow fade

A gentler cousin of ghosting: replies get shorter and further apart until they stop altogether.

Orbiting

When someone stops talking to you but keeps viewing your profile or liking your posts, so they're never quite gone.

Red flags and green flags

Red flags are warning signs that someone isn't right for you, or isn't genuine. Green flags are the good signs: someone who's honest, consistent and replies when they say they will.

Spotted a red flag? You can report any profile using the report button on their profile page, and the 24-hour Customer Success team is always there if something doesn't feel right.

Now you're fluent

With the lingo sorted, you're ready to get out there. If it's been a while, take a look at dating again in your 40s and 50s, and when you're ready to meet someone, try our first date ideas that actually work.