Decoding The Top 10 Gen Z Dating Terms

Top 10 Gen Z Dating Terms That Are Sliding Into Your DMs

Dear reader, if you’ve ever found yourself puzzled by Gen Z dating terms like “situationship” or wondered if being someone’s “sneaky link” is a compliment or a cause for concern, fear not. The Gen Z generation, aka the Tinder-toting, Instagram DM-sliding, TikTok-dwelling crowd, has a playbook of dating slang so robust it might make your head spin. But today, we’re rolling up our sleeves, diving into this modern-day language of love (or lust), and coming out on the other side fluent, or at least conversational.

#1 Situationship

Let’s kick this off with the relationship status for people who don't actually want to define their relationship status. A “situationship” is the emotional purgatory between “we’re just talking” and “we’re official.” It’s vibes-based, no labels, and typically features a sneaky aversion to deep conversations about what this is. Yes, it's a little commitment-phobic, but some folks thrive here.

#2 Sneaky Link

The covert cousin of a booty call. A sneaky link is someone you’re hooking up with on the low. No Instagram tags, no public hand-holding- just discreet texts and meeting up when no one else is looking.

#3 Hard Launch vs. Soft Launch

Remember the days when “in a relationship” simply appeared on Facebook, and that was it? Oh, how quaint. Thanks to Gen Z, how you debut your partner to the world now comes with marketing terminology.

• A soft launch means subtly hinting that you’re seeing someone by posting a photo of two hands holding cocktails or a shadowy figure across the table on your Insta Story.
• A hard launch happens when you unapologetically post a photo of you and your new boo kissing, hugging, or labeling each other “mine” in the caption.

#4 Dry Texting

Have you ever texted someone only to receive one-word replies, zero emojis, or (shudder) “k” as an answer? That’s dry texting and it’s a cardinal sin in the texting universe of Gen Z. If someone types like they’re a caveman impersonating their phone keyboard, chances are the romantic sparks are fizzling.

#5 Riz

Short for “charisma,” riz is the Gen Z term for game (aka your ability to flirt or charm a potential romantic partner smoothly). While some people have undeniable “W riz” (a winning level of charisma), others may be tragically lacking... and we send our thoughts and prayers to them.

#6 Ick

The “ick” isn’t new, but Gen Z has weaponized it like never before. Catching “the ick” is when someone does something so cringe-inducing that your attraction disappears faster than a Snapchat message.

#7 Benching

Do you think ghosting is bad? Let me introduce you to benching, when someone keeps you on the subs bench in the dating game. They still text enough to keep their spot in your mind but never actually make an effort to meet in real life. It's classic breadcrumbing behavior - but modernized.

#8 Cuffing Season

A seasonal term that crops up every fall: Cuffing season refers to the time of year (typically as temperatures plummet) when single folks feel the sudden urge to partner up. Perhaps it’s the holidays or a primal desire to snuggle under blankets day with someone who sends you memes.

#9 Bread-crumbing

Bread-crumbing involves giving you just enough attention to keep you invested but never enough to commit. A few “good morning” texts here or a late-night “u up?” message there, but no depth beyond flirting.

#10 Love Bombing

At first, this might feel amazing; think over-the-top flirtation, professions of love, and grand gestures. But love bombing is typically more about control than romance. If a potential partner promises you the world after two dates, it might be less about “soulmates” and more a red flag you should sprint away from.

Language evolves with our culture, and Gen Z’s dating lingo shows how dynamic (and slightly chaotic) modern romance has become. Whether you’re single, coupled-up, or somewhere in a situationship, these terms reflect how young people today navigate love, lust, and everything in between. But before you roll your eyes at these trendy terms, take a moment to appreciate how cleverly this generation identifies and owns the nuances of adult relationships. After all, “situationship” perfectly describes what we’ve all experienced at some point; they’ve just made it official (ironically, of course).

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