ghosting

noun

ghost·​ing ˈgō-stiŋ 

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

This friend was like a sister to me, and I was crushed with her ghosting and punishment of me and my family who also loved her. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2025

This friend was like a sister to me, and I was crushed with her ghosting and punishment of me and my family, who also loved her. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 3 Nov. 2025

Aside from weightless words, Hardwich notes that the worst thing about dating in 2025 is how common ghosting has become, with men showing interest only to disappear without warning. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

The guy’s ghosting of me also dehumanized him. —Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ghosting

• boasting
• coasting
• hosting
• posting
• roasting
• toasting
• composting