ghosting

noun

ghost·​ing ˈgō-stiŋ How to pronounce ghosting (audio)
1
: a faint double image on a television screen or other display
also : the formation of such images
Such displays tend to suffer from ghosting, which shows up as extraneous lines on screen. Consumer Reports
2
informal : the act or practice of abruptly cutting off all contact with someone (such as a former romantic partner) usually without explanation by no longer accepting or responding to phone calls, instant messages, etc.
Romeo one minute, where'd he go the next? Ghosting is when you go poof and literally disappear out of someone's life without a word or explanation.Samantha Burns
"It's the fear of missing out on the thing, or person, that is coming next. … It may be a little mean, but we're dating; it's not like we're in a relationship," said one anonymous online dater in defense of ghosting.Chelsea Frisbie
see also ghost entry 2 sense 3

Examples of ghosting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With ghosting, the relationship usually has a sense of finality, as the communication is severed indefinitely. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Sep. 2023 Despite his criticisms about the endless options, incessant ghosting, and lackluster connections that are pervasive on the apps, Pineda re-downloaded them onto his phone in August. Elena Giardina, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023 The result can include some losses of color accuracy, inaccurate lighting, and even occasional ghosting. Tom Warren, The Verge, 22 Aug. 2023 Ghosting: This should be a no-brainer, but ghosting doesn’t always include abruptly ending communication with someone without explanation. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Aug. 2023 There was, however, noticeably less image ghosting of trails left behind on fast moving objects, like when driving vehicles at high speeds in racing games. Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 20 June 2023 For less ethereally minded musicians, however, who have undoubtedly dropped serious coin to attach the Rubin name to their brand, studio ghosting and non-participation could understandably be read as insulting. Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 14 June 2023 Our date’s ghosting reminds us that love is always insecure. Andrew Stark, wsj.com, 28 Apr. 2023 There’s no ghosting, there’s none of that. Michelle Aslam, Dallas News, 25 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ghosting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghosting was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near ghosting

Cite this Entry

“Ghosting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghosting. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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