14 Online Dating Slang Words You Need to Learn in 2020

Have you ever been left on read after DM’ing someone?

Did you swipe left on that one weird profile on Tinder?

In general, how was your OL dating experience this past year?

We have entered a new decade. Changes and upgrades continue to happen in the online dating culture. One of these is its ever-intriguing lingo comprised of slang words.

Online slang language came with the rise of technology and internet trends.Slang words are still a wide subject to explore.

Many are left confused by what they mean and how they can be properly used in a conversation.

We understand it’s scary to say you are ready to DTR when all you mean is that you need someone’s warmth during the cuffing season.

So we are here to give a rundown of the 14 most common online dating slang words used in 2020, to free you from the burden of scouring Urban Dictionary every time you see one of these common terms.

You’ll never know, you might just impress bae with your new vocabulary.

1. IRL

What Does IRL Mean?

IRL stands for “in real life.” This is a term familiar to a lot of people as it is used not only in online dating but also in social media. When someone mentions IRL, they simply mean that they are ready to meet you in person, face to face. As in:

“You’re very intriguing. Hope to meet you IRL!”

2. Bae

What Does Bae Mean?

Bae represents the short form of “baby/babe,”. This term originally meant as a nickname for a significant other. However, this word has also transformed to become a descriptor of anything you might find beautiful, nice or awesome. In a conversation, it would be used as such:

“My bae taught me how a fulfilling love life should feel like.”

“Did you see what he wore? A true bae!”

3. Ghosting

What Does Ghosting Mean?

Ghosting happens when someone whom you have been actively communicating with suddenly vanishes - literally like a ghost or some sort of an apparition. No return texts, no calls — nothing. With absolutely no explanation, they flake out of the relationship and leave you hanging. Example:

“If you don’t like her, then be upfront with your intentions. Ghosting is cowardly.”

4. Catfishing

What Does Catfishing Mean?

Catfishing is a type of online scam prevalent nowadays. This con uses fake profiles to build a “relationship” with you in order to extort money. This may run for years but it will never lead to a direct, personal encounte

“Romance scams are getting more and more creative. Catfishing is on the rise.”

5. Kittenfishing

What Does Kittenfishing Mean?

Kittenfishing is a term that sprung from catfishing. While many consider it as a less harmful and malicious way of tricking people online, it is still a type of online fraud all the same

Someone may describe themselves in an unrealistically positive light. Think photomanipulation, as in beauty enhancement, and exaggeration of facts, as in specifying in a profile that they are a doctor when they are actually still a medicine student in training.

“He wasn’t like that at all IRL. He was obviously kittenfishing.”

6. Swipe right/left

What Does Swipe Right / Swipe Left Mean?

Swipe right / left is originally a Tinder app function where swiping in a certain direction on the phone screen indicates whether you like (right swipe) someone or not (left swipe). Now, other dating apps have also patterned their profile matching with the same idea.

“It was a sure swipe right, alright. Her bio was so interesting!”

7. Cuffing Season

What Does Cuffing Season Mean?

Cuffing Season covers the fall and winter season, when body warmth is so much appreciated than any other seasons within the year. Its twist from the usual romantic relationship, however, is that you are only “handcuffing” yourself to someone in the short term (as in, the cold months) and becoming free again come spring.

“It’s sweater weather and cuffing season again.”

8. Sliding into DMs

What Does Sliding Into DMs Mean?

Sliding into DMs is when you send someone a private, direct message (DM) using social media networks with the intention of getting their attention and eventually creating a romantic connection. It usually happens after some public interaction, whether liking a photo or replying to each other’s comments.

“He became my mutual. Sliding into his DMs won’t be weird, right?”

9. Benching

What Does Benching Mean?

Benching, like in many ball sports, is when you keep someone in your active chat list but never want to commit to a proper relationship with them. You are flirty with them and don’t want them to move on, but you can only keep them on the sidelines.

“That’s just rude. He’s benching you, obviously, and I think you should go.”

10. DTR

What Does DTR Mean?

When someone urges you to DTR or “define the relationship,” it means that they want to clarify and label what you have now. Is it a casual fling or are you ready to commit to a serious, exclusive relationship?

“It’s high time that we DTR. What are we now?”

11. Love Bombing

What Does Love Bombing Mean?

The major fact you should know about love bombing is that it’s an example of a manipulative and abusive behavior. As the words imply, the modus starts with someone being too showy in their affection for you — only until you commit to the relationship. Thereafter, the “bombing” happens as they withdraw that excessive dedication and show their real, cruel intentions.

“I experienced love bombing with my last partner. I didn’t know I was in a toxic relationship until a friend pointed the obvious signs out.”

12. Catch & release

What Does Catch & Release Mean?

Catch & release is comparable to a one-time hook up with someone you have no strong emotional attachment with. Further, after the “catch,” so to speak, you expect to “release” them back into the dating pool for a chance to be with someone else — no strings attached.

“We understood what we had. It was a catch & release and we had no hard feelings towards each other.”

13. Slow Fade

What Does Slow Fade Mean?

The slow fade involves you letting a partner go little by little, as in a song where the volume turns down smoothly and gradually. Your romantic relationship may have reached a stage where nothing is rewarding anymore, pushing you to end things without being too direct about it.

You start by reducing contact until every connection is gone.

“It isn’t healthy anymore. You think a slow fade is better rather than confronting her?”

14. Zombieing

What Does Zombieing Mean?

If ghosting is a vanishing act, zombieing, on the other hand, is a deserter who resurfaced like nothing significant happened. They will pop right back into your DMs and pick up where they left off without addressing why they were gone in the first place. You may have conflicting feelings about that person but we warn you that ending toxic this relationship is the best move at this point.

“He makes a move then dips out. Now, he’s back. Zombieing truly is real.”

Does it feel like you’re learning a whole language and culture?

Whether you are a veteran or a newbie to online dating, it pays to be updated with the trends and not get lost in translation.

Take that chance at love this new decade.

Let this list be your handy guide through your OL journey. Good luck!