Definition of ghosting
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
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Words for Scrabble
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share ghosting
Time Traveler for ghosting
The first known use of ghosting was in 1919
See more words from the same year