7 Terms You Need to Know If You're Casually Dating

By Sarah Lipoff

Updated on 10/29/2015 at 9:30 AM

If you're new to the dating scene, online dating apps and sites have created a whole knew language to learn. It's completely acceptable to date a few special someones at the same time until the warm-fuzzies kick in for something more serious. If you're good with keeping it casual, hooking up, or being wooed by a few different suitors, here are a few terms to get up close and comfy with.

  • DTR: When only wanting to casually date, you definitely need to define the relationship (DTR) straight up. Let the person know you're only looking for a chill relationship and you don't see that changing anytime soon.
  • Ghosting: This is when you go dark. You went on a date, or maybe a couple, and aren't feeling it, so you disappear. No more texts, emails, calls — it's like you never existed.
  • Bumble: You might be on Tinder, maybe still have an active Match.com account, but Bumble is the new place to scope out future dates. The site is set up for women, letting her make the first move when she sees something she likes.
  • Self-preservation: This is when you'd rather have the person you've been on one or two dates with simply go away. You're OK with him or her sending a few texts and checking in, but when you don't respond, and then they don't, you're more comfortable thinking they're just busy or whatever. Because it's not you.
  • Textlationship: Slightly confusing but potentially a great ego boost, a textlationship is just about texting. You might get all crazy shooting lots of sizzling one-liners, but you'll probably never meet IRL. But if you're OK with that, who cares?
  • Lumbersexual: A new version of the metrosexual, these guys are still into looking good, but with a bit of a rugged side. We're talking man buns, tattoos, perfectly groomed beards, and probably something plaid.
  • Thirsty: This is when someone you're seeing starts getting too eager for attention or wants more time than you're into. When this happens, let them down easy or simply ghost them.
  • Megadating: This is exactly what it sounds like. You date several people at one time without being in one mutually exclusive relationship. But it does kind of turn into an every-day-of-the-week thing. Enjoy it while you can, right?

If you're a casual dater, what relationship terms are high on your list?