Dating used to be complicated enough with first-date jitters, figuring out what to wear, and sending texts that do not sound too eager.
But Gen Z dating has added a new challenge, a constantly changing dictionary of slang.
Suddenly, it's not just about finding “the one” but also about decoding terms that sound more like inside jokes than relationship statuses.
So if you are stepping into the wild world of dating apps, or even just trying to decode the tea in your group chat, here are five slang terms that everyone is talking about and what they really mean.
1. Shrekking
“Getting Shrekked” might sound funny (and yes, it does make you think of the giant green ogre), but in the dating world, it means something else entirely.
Shrekking is when you date someone outside your usual type, maybe someone who intentionally downplays their looks, lifestyle or confidence.
You’re used to dating polished, social-media-savvy extroverts. Then one day, you give a chance to someone who shows up in a hoodie, barely touches Instagram, and feels like they live in a totally different universe from your usual ‘type.
On paper, it sounds like a bold move that could open the door to something new and surprising. Sometimes it works, bringing a refreshing change. Other times, it can feel a little mismatched or awkward — more “lesson learned” than “happily ever after.”
2. Pocketing
Pocketing is the modern-day version of “keeping things on the down-low,” but with an even colder twist.
If someone is pocketing you, it means they are perfectly fine being with you, as long as nobody else knows.
Picture this: you are seeing someone, you hang out often, you even talk daily. But whenever the subject of meeting friends comes up, there is always an excuse.
Family dinner? Forget it. Instagram soft launch? Not happening.
You might even scroll through their socials only to see zero trace of you, as though you do not exist.
Basically, you are their secret, tucked away like a playlist they do not share.
If you are always in private but never on display, chances are you are being pocketed.
3. Orbiting
Orbiting is the sneaky, modern evolution of ghosting. Instead of disappearing completely, the person hovers in your digital space.
They do not reply to your texts, they ignore your calls, but somehow, they always manage to watch your stories, like your TikToks, or drop a casual emoji under your posts.
For example, you may stop hearing from someone after a few dates, and you assume it is over. But then, the next time you post a selfie, they are the first to view it — and maybe even hit it with a fire emoji.
It is confusing because they are clearly paying attention, but not enough to actually engage in a real conversation.
Orbiting is frustrating because it keeps you stuck.
You feel like they have one foot in your life and one foot out, haunting your feed like a ghost with Wi-Fi access.
It is the ultimate way of keeping someone hooked… without committing to anything.
4. Ghosting
Ghosting might be one of the older terms in the dating dictionary, but it has not gone away.
Ghosting happens when someone you are talking to suddenly vanishes into thin air. No explanation, no goodbye — just silence.
You could be mid-conversation about your favourite Netflix series, or even planning your next date, and then suddenly, they disappear.
Texts go unanswered, calls go straight to voicemail, and your chat thread starts to feel like you are messaging into the void.
What makes ghosting painful is the lack of closure. It leaves you questioning everything: Was it something I said? Did I overshare? Did they meet someone else?
Ghosting is brutal because instead of giving you an answer, they leave you with nothing but overthinking.
5. Situationships
Situationships have become almost a rite of passage in modern dating.
They are not quite relationships, but they are not casual either — they live in the in-between, where everything feels blurry.
You hang out regularly, you talk every day, have chemistry.
But when it comes to defining the relationship, the answer is usually something like, “Let us just see where this goes,” or “I do not want to put a label on it.”
For example, you could be acting like a couple in every way — going out for dinner, binge-watching shows together, even meeting each other’s friends casually.
But when someone asks, “So, are you together?” the answer is never clear.
Situationships can be fun and exciting, but they often lead to confusion because there is no roadmap or commitment.
Dating in the 2020s feels less like a rom-com and more like trying to decode a constantly updating glossary.
From being pocketed to getting orbit-shamed, these slang terms capture the messy reality of love in the digital age.
The good news? Knowing the lingo at least helps you recognise the red flags before you get played!