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

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

Season 9 began with the first batch of episodes last week introducing six couples who got engaged in the pods after several love triangles, love squares, and at least one shocking ghosting. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

In fact, ghosting has gotten so bad for job seekers that countries like Canada have stepped in for legal intervention. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ghosting

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