# ghosting

/ˈɡoʊstɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡˈəʊstɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ghosting
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

the act of suddenly stopping all communication with someone you are dating or talking to. You do this without giving any explanation, usually by not answering texts or calls.

For teachers: the practice of abruptly ending a personal relationship by withdrawing from all communication without explanation.

## Examples

- I thought our date went well, but then he started ghosting me.
- After three weeks of daily texting, his sudden ghosting left her feeling confused and frustrated about where she stood.
- Modern dating culture has seen a rise in ghosting, a phenomenon often attributed to the low social cost of disappearing behind a digital interface rather than engaging in a difficult conversation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She made ghosting to me." but "She ghosted me." — Ghosting is usually treated as a gerund or a verb; learners often incorrectly try to use it with 'make' or 'do'.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a gerund noun to describe the behavior itself; the related verb is 'to ghost'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.