Word
ghosted
Phoneticsghost·ed
UK/ɡˈəʊstɪd/
Definition
v. to suddenly stop replying to someone and disappear from contact, with no explanation. You use it mostly for dating and friendships when the messages just stop.
v. to abruptly cut off all communication with someone, typically by ignoring calls and messages without explanation. Common in dating and online social contexts where contact ends without closure.
Examples
“He has ghosted three friends this month.”
“After three great dates, she waited for his text, but he ghosted her and never replied again.”
“Once the project ended, his mentor ghosted him, leaving months of guidance to dissolve into silence without closure or explanation.”
Examples
simple
“He has ghosted three friends this month.”
contextual
“After three great dates, she waited for his text, but he ghosted her and never replied again.”
complex
“Once the project ended, his mentor ghosted him, leaving months of guidance to dissolve into silence without closure or explanation.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ghosted” in context.
Verb
01. be ghosted
“It hurts to be ghosted by someone you thought was a friend.”
verb + verb
02. feel ghosted
“I started to feel ghosted when my texts were ignored for days.”
verb + verb
03. get ghosted
“Anyone can get ghosted after meeting someone on a dating app.”
verb + verb
04. ghost date
“She did not want to ghost her date, so she sent a polite message.”
verb + noun
05. ghost friend
“He decided to ghost his friend instead of explaining the problem.”
verb + noun
06. ghost partner
“It is unfair to ghost a partner after a long relationship.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. completely ghosted
“She felt completely ghosted after three great dates with no reply.”
adv + verb
Noun
08. culture of ghosting
“Dating apps have created a culture of ghosting.”
noun + prep + noun
09. fear of ghosting
“Many young people live with a fear of ghosting when dating.”
noun + prep + noun
10. be ghosted without explanation
“It is painful to be ghosted without explanation by a close friend.”
11. get ghosted after a date
“She got ghosted after a date that she thought went really well.”
12. get ghosted out of nowhere
“We were chatting daily, then I got ghosted out of nowhere.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, usually the person being ignored.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/ghosted