# datingglossary > A dictionary of modern dating terms: what each word means, where it came from, what it is confused with, and when it was last checked. ## Open - [Compersion: Meaning, Origin and What It Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/open-relationships/compersion/): Compersion means pleasure at a partner's happiness with someone else. The definition, where the word came from, and the terms it gets confused with. - [ENM Meaning: Ethical Non-Monogamy, Defined Plainly](https://datingglossary.com/open-relationships/enm/): ENM meaning in dating: what ethical non-monogamy covers, where the abbreviation came from, and how it differs from open, poly and swinging. - [Monogamish: Meaning, Origin and What the Word Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/open-relationships/monogamish/): Monogamish means a mostly monogamous couple with narrow agreed exceptions. Definition, documented origin, and what it is not. Checked 2026-08-26. - [Monogamy Meaning: Definition, Origin, and What It Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/open-relationships/monogamy/): Monogamy meaning, defined plainly: one partner at a time, by agreement. Origin of the word, how it differs from exclusivity, and what it does not cover. - [Polyamory Meaning: Definition, Origin, and ENM vs Poly](https://datingglossary.com/open-relationships/polyamory/): Polyamory meaning, defined plainly: multiple romantic relationships with everyone's knowledge, why it sits inside ENM, and what the word does not cover. - [Throuple Meaning: What a Throuple Relationship Is](https://datingglossary.com/open-relationships/throuple/): Throuple meaning: a romantic relationship between three people who are all involved with each other. How it differs from a triad, a vee and polyamory. ## Feelings - [Codependency Meaning: Origin, Confusions, and Its Limits](https://datingglossary.com/feelings/codependency/): Codependency meaning in plain terms: where the word came from, how it drifted from addiction literature into everyday dating talk, and what it does not mean. - [Enmeshment: Meaning, Origin, and What the Word Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/feelings/enmeshment/): Enmeshment meaning in plain terms: where the word came from, how it is used, what it is confused with, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. - [Infatuation Meaning: Definition, Origin, Infatuation vs Love](https://datingglossary.com/feelings/infatuation/): Infatuation meaning in plain terms: the definition, where the word came from, infatuation vs love, look-alike terms, and what it does not mean. - [Limerence Meaning: Definition, Origin and What It Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/feelings/limerence/): Limerence meaning, defined plainly: an involuntary state of obsessive romantic longing named by psychologist Dorothy Tennov. Origin, look-alikes, limits. - [New Relationship Energy (NRE): Meaning, Origin and Limits](https://datingglossary.com/feelings/nre/): New relationship energy meaning, defined plainly: the euphoric early-stage rush named in polyamorous communities. NRE origin, look-alikes, and what it is not. - [Parasocial Relationship Meaning: Definition, Origin, Limits](https://datingglossary.com/feelings/parasocial-relationship/): Parasocial relationship meaning: a one-sided bond with someone who does not know you exist. Origin in mid-1950s media research, look-alikes, and limits. ## App-era - [Breadcrumbing Meaning: Origin, Use, and What It Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/app-dating/breadcrumbing/): Breadcrumbing meaning in plain terms: where the dating word came from, how it is used, what it is confused with, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. - [Catfishing Meaning: Definition, Origin, and What It Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/app-dating/catfishing/): Catfishing meaning, defined plainly: pretending to be someone else online, where the word came from, what it is confused with, and what it does not cover. - [Cushioning Meaning: Origin, Use, and What It Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/app-dating/cushioning/): Cushioning meaning in plain terms: where the dating word came from, how it is used, what it is confused with, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. - [Micro Cheating: Meaning, Origin, and Where the Word Stops](https://datingglossary.com/app-dating/micro-cheating/): Micro cheating meaning in plain terms: what the word covers, where it came from, why its boundary is disputed, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. - [Monkey Barring Meaning: The Dating Term, Not the Playground](https://datingglossary.com/app-dating/monkey-barring/): Monkey barring meaning in dating: the term's origin, how it differs from monkey branching and cushioning, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. - [Stashing: Meaning, Origin, and What the Word Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/app-dating/stashing/): Stashing meaning in plain terms: what the dating word describes, where it came from, what it is confused with, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. ## Identity - [Aromantic Meaning: Definition, Spectrum and What It Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/identity/aromantic/): Aromantic meaning, defined plainly: people who experience little or no romantic attraction. Origin, the aromantic spectrum, look-alike terms and limits. - [Asexual Meaning: Definition, Ace Spectrum, and Its Limits](https://datingglossary.com/identity/asexual/): Asexual meaning, put plainly: a self-chosen label for people who feel little or no sexual attraction. Ace spectrum, origin, look-alikes, and limits. - [Bicurious Meaning: Definition, Origin and What It Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/identity/bicurious/): Bicurious meaning, defined plainly: curiosity about attraction to a gender someone has not pursued, without claiming a settled bisexual identity. - [Demisexual Meaning: Definition, Origin and What It Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/identity/demisexual/): Demisexual meaning, defined plainly: sexual attraction felt only after a strong emotional bond forms. Origin on the AVEN forums, look-alike terms, limits. - [Pansexual Meaning: Definition, Origin, Pansexual vs Bisexual](https://datingglossary.com/identity/pansexual/): Pansexual meaning, put plainly: attraction regardless of gender, how the word differs from bisexual, where it came from, and what it does not claim. - [Sapiosexual Meaning: Definition, Origin and the Dispute](https://datingglossary.com/identity/sapiosexual/): Sapiosexual meaning, defined plainly: a self-description for people who say intelligence is what attracts them. Origin, look-alikes, why it is contested. ## Status - [Courting Meaning: Definition, Origin, and Modern Revival](https://datingglossary.com/status/courting/): Courting meaning, defined plainly: dating with a stated end goal. Where the word came from, how courting differs from dating, and what it does not promise. - [DTR Meaning: Define the Relationship, Origin, and Limits](https://datingglossary.com/status/dtr/): DTR meaning, defined plainly: define the relationship. What the abbreviation covers, where it came from, and what those three letters mean outside dating. - [What Does Exclusive Mean in Dating? Definition and Limits](https://datingglossary.com/status/exclusive/): What does exclusive mean in dating: two people agreeing to see only each other. Origin of the usage, how it differs from official, and what it does not cover. - [Hard Launch Meaning: Definition, Origin, What It Is Not](https://datingglossary.com/status/hard-launch/): Hard launch meaning: the public, unambiguous reveal of a relationship online. Definition, origin, confusable terms, and limits. Checked 2026-08-26. - [Lavender Marriage Meaning: Definition, Origin, What It Isn't](https://datingglossary.com/status/lavender-marriage/): Lavender marriage meaning, defined plainly: a marriage that presents as straight while at least one spouse is not. Origin, look-alike terms, and limits. - [Platonic Meaning: Definition, Origin, and What It Excludes](https://datingglossary.com/status/platonic/): Platonic meaning in plain terms: the definition, where the word came from, how a platonic relationship differs from look-alike terms, and what it does not mean. ## Slang - [Banksying Meaning: The Dating Term, Not the Street Artist](https://datingglossary.com/slang/banksying/): Banksying meaning in dating: the quietly prepared breakup, where the word came from, how it differs from a slow fade. Checked August 2026. - [Body Count Meaning: Definition, Origin, and Why It's Debated](https://datingglossary.com/slang/body-count/): Body count meaning in dating slang: the number of sexual partners someone has had. Where the phrase came from, what it excludes, and why it is contested. - [Delulu Meaning: The Dating Slang, and What It Doesn't Mean](https://datingglossary.com/slang/delulu/): Delulu meaning in dating: the K-pop fandom origin, how it differs from delusional and manifesting, and what it does not mean. Checked August 2026. - [Ick Meaning: What "The Ick" Means in Dating, and What It Doesn't](https://datingglossary.com/slang/ick/): Ick meaning in dating: the sudden turn-off, where the phrase came from, how it differs from a red flag or a dealbreaker. Checked August 2026. - [Sneaky Link Meaning: The Dating Term, Defined and Dated](https://datingglossary.com/slang/sneaky-link/): Sneaky link meaning in dating slang: the definition, where the phrase came from, how it differs from a booty call or FWB, and what it does not mean. - [Thirst Trap Meaning: What the Term Actually Describes](https://datingglossary.com/slang/thirst-trap/): Thirst trap meaning in plain terms: what the phrase names, where it came from, how it differs from a hard launch or a catfish. Checked August 2026. ## Policy - [Editorial policy](https://datingglossary.com/editorial-policy/): sourcing, corrections, AI transparency - [Sources](https://datingglossary.com/sources/): primary sources for every statistic ## Citation & reuse Content may be quoted with attribution and a link to the original page.