Everything You NEED To Know About Dating In 2025

Written By:

Eleanor Finch

Written By:

Eleanor Finch

Dating in The Wild New Trends You NEED to Know About

It feels like with very breath, a new dating trend pops up! If you’ve been deep in the dating scene this year, you’ve probably already come across a few of these fresh trends wiggling their way into your lexicon. In fact, don’t be shocked if “eyecontactship” starts trending in the next few days. But in all seriousness, with so many dating terms floating around online, we’ve compiled a list to help you stay in the know about dating in 2025.

Intentional Dating

Intentional dating is just a fancy way of saying you’ve always known what you want and aren’t wasting time with anything less. If you’ve ever had a checklist for what matters—like values, ambition, or even just decent manners—you’ve been dating with intention all along. It’s not new, it’s just finally got a label. So if you’re picky, congratulations, you’re ahead of the game.

Yap-Trapping

If you find yourself knowing all the details of your date’s childhood pet hamster and they still don’t know whether you prefer coffee or tea—congratulations, you’ve been caught in a classic case of Yap-Trapping. This is when your date hijacks the conversation, creating a one-person show that could go on without you, and you’d never even be missed. But don’t worry, these unintentional podcasters have now earned themselves a name in 2025. If you end up across from a yap-trapper, try to steer the conversation back to you if you can. If not, well… you have our deepest sympathies and prayers for your survival.

Read More: What Is Rotational Dating? 6 Best Tips For Doing It Right And Making The Most Of It

Freak Matching

Thanks to Tinashe’s iconic track ‘Nasty’ and that unforgettable line, “Is somebody gonna match my freak?”, we’ve got a new dating term: freak match. It’s all about finding someone who vibes with your level of weirdness—someone who loves your quirks and shares your offbeat interests without batting an eye. Gone are the days of hiding the weird parts of yourself. In 2025, we’re all about owning every single, unapologetic aspect of our personalities. Your freak match is that person who not only gets your strangeness but celebrates it. No judgment, just total acceptance for the freak you are.

StICKing

Get ready, because in 2025, your weird little quirks—like that snort-laugh—are finally getting the validation they deserve. StICKing is all about looking past those awkward habits, like a snorting laugh or that strange way they eat pizza, that initially give you the “ick.” Instead of running for the hills, St-ICK-ing is about sticking around, acknowledging that no one’s perfect, and choosing to stay in the game. In 2025, we’re done ditching potential long-term connections because of silly, harmless habits. It’s a sign of emotional maturity—knowing that real love means accepting the flaws and finding someone whose quirks you can actually adore.

Cookie-jarring sounds sweet—but trust us, it’s anything but. According to Michelle Begy, founder of Ignite Dating, this toxic dating trend refers to someone keeping you around as a backup while they actively pursue other romantic options. You’re not the main course—you’re just a cookie in their jar, ready to be snacked on when it’s convenient. The worst part? They have no real intention of committing to you. So, if your “situationship” feels more like a waiting room, it might be time to break out of the jar and find someone who actually prioritizes you.

Slow Fade

Slow fade—the sneakier, more drawn-out cousin of ghosting. According to Tina Wilson, dating expert and founder of the Wingman app, it’s what happens when communication starts to gradually fizzle out. The once-frequent calls, texts, and plans become sporadic, leaving you wondering if you’re still on their radar or just a fading memory. It’s the relationship equivalent of watching paint dry—except the paint is your romantic connection, and it’s disappearing in slow motion. If you’re sensing the slow fade, it might be time to address it head-on or gracefully bow out before you’re fully ghosted.

Future Proofing

In today’s world, dating isn’t just about chemistry—it’s about compatibility for the future. Topics like finances, job security, housing, and even climate change are shaping how we choose our partners. With uncertainty looming, more people—especially women—are prioritizing stability.And guess what? These conversations are no longer taboo—1 in 4 women globally are pushing for discussions about budgeting, career plans, and big-picture issues before diving into romance. So, ladies, don’t shy away from the “serious” talks. In 2025, planning for the future is the new dating standard.

Wokefishing

Wokefishing—because apparently, pretending to care about social issues is the new dating scam. This term describes someone who fakes being “woke” to align with your values and win you over. They’ll nod along to your feminist takes, repost climate change infographics, and swear they’re all about social justice—until you realize it’s all a carefully crafted act. Beneath the surface, their beliefs (or lack thereof) tell a very different story. It’s manipulative, misleading, and yes—downright terrifying. So, if their activism feels a little too performative, trust your gut. No one deserves a love built on lies and borrowed opinions.

Read More: Dating Someone With Relationship OCD? 7 Strategies For Supporting Your Loved One

Oystering

Why settle down when the world is your oyster? Coined by Badoo, this post-breakup power move is all about celebrating your freedom and diving headfirst into the dating pool. Instead of mourning a lost relationship, you’re treating the world like your personal buffet of romantic possibilities. Fancy a new date every night? Do it. Craving spontaneous adventures and being wined and dined? Absolutely. Oystering isn’t about waiting around—it’s about reclaiming your independence, having fun, and realizing there’s a whole sea of opportunities (and people) out there.

Consciously Single

According to Bumble, this term is for those who are making a mindful, intentional choice to remain single, rather than just drifting into relationships for the sake of it. It’s about being picky, taking the time to focus on personal growth, and dating only when it feels right. For the consciously single, the goal isn’t rushing into anything—it’s about waiting for a connection that truly aligns with who you are, when you’re ready.

Pocketing

Pocketing—when your relationship feels more like a secret than a celebration. This dating trend refers to someone keeping you tucked away, never introducing you to their family, friends, or even giving you a mention on social media. If your partner avoids bringing you into their world, you might be getting pocketed. While some people move at their own pace, consistent secrecy can be a red flag. If you’re feeling hidden, it might be time to ask: Are they keeping things private—or are they keeping you a secret?

Carouselling

Carouselling—when the talking stage feels less like a spark and more like an endless ride that won’t stop. Coined by the dating app Finding The One, it describes the exhausting cycle of messaging back and forth for weeks (or even months) without ever moving forward. What used to take a few days now drags on indefinitely, leaving you stuck in a loop of small talk and “wyd?” texts. It’s frustrating, it’s draining, and let’s be honest—no one wants to ride in circles forever. If your conversations feel like they’re going nowhere, it might be time to hop off the carousel and find someone ready to take things to the next level.

Cloutlighting

Cloutlighting is where love meets manipulation for the sake of likes. Coined by Jessica Lindsay for Metro in 2018, this term blends “clout” (social media fame) and “gaslighting” (emotional manipulation). It refers to someone using their partner as a prop to create content, often twisting situations or pushing boundaries to boost their online popularity. Whether it’s humiliating pranks, oversharing private moments, or manipulating emotions for engagement, cloutlighters prioritize views over their partner’s feelings. If your relationship feels like a reality show you never signed up for, you might be caught in the toxic grip of cloutlighting.

Polter-Ghosting

Polter-ghosting—because regular ghosting wasn’t cruel enough. This eerie dating trend refers to when someone doesn’t just stop replying—they straight-up vanish by not showing up to a planned date, with no excuse or explanation. It’s the ultimate disappearing act, leaving you waiting and wondering. Bumble isn’t having it, though—the app has added strict rules against polter-ghosting to its code of conduct. So, if someone thinks it’s okay to pull a no-show, they might just find themselves ghosted from the platform instead.

Smutten

No, it’s not about anything risqué! It’s the feeling of being swept up in the romantic fantasy world inspired by books, movies, and TV shows. Think enemy-to-lover plot twists, dramatic love confessions, or an intense love story straight out of an Arijit Singh song. According to a Plenty of Fish survey, 33% of singles (with 40% of women leading the charge) are daydreaming about these picture-perfect romances. It’s great to have a little fairy tale in your mind, but just remember: don’t let those movie moments cloud your judgment and prevent you from seeing the real, flawed, and wonderful person in front of you.

Swamping

If Freak Matching is about finding someone who shares your quirks, Swamping is all about feeling comfortable enough to accept those quirks without a second thought. It’s about showing up as your true self, even if it means rocking your old pajamas, messy hair, and pimple patches like a badge of honor. In 2025, we’re done with false ideals. Swamping creates the perfect space to be real, ditch the front, and allow for a deeper, more authentic connection to blossom. If they can handle your “swamp,” it’s a sign they’re ready for something more serious.

So, there you have it! Now you’re armed with all the essential terms to keep your dating vocab sharp and stay ahead of the game.

Read More: What Is Nanoship? The New Dating Trend That’s Taking Over in 2025

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