GHOSTING Definition & Meaning

ghosting

[ goh-sting ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the appearance of multiple copies or blurred representations of an object on a screen or in an image.
Informal.
1. the practice of suddenly ending all contact with a person without explanation, often in a dating or romantic relationship:
  After several unanswered calls and texts to her, he concluded he’d been a victim of ghosting.
2. French leave,. the act of leaving a social event or engagement suddenly and without saying goodbye:
  Ghosting might be the best option if we want to get home before midnight.
3. the act or practice of abandoning a job without notice and refusing further contact:
  A labor shortage has contributed to ghosting in the workplace.
Digital Technology. the removal of comments, threads, or other content from a website or online forum without informing the poster, keeping them hidden from the public but still visible to the poster.
the act of adopting the identity of a dead person, especially someone relatively unknown, before the death has been recognized by the government, banks, etc.:
Sometimes ghosting can go on for months before the crime is detected.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of ghosting¹

First recorded in 1955–60; ghost + -ing ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In 2025, Bridget’s got to deal with Tinder, ghosting and the perennial scramble to choose which emoji works best in a text — but without taking too long to decide, lest the message seem too overthought.

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For a while, it was the typical story of flakes, ghosting, horrible dates and bad sex.

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In “Clarence,” when John the Baptist utters a prayer, Samuel has a flute ghosting every syllable.

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However, it wasn’t long before Matt started ghosting me — often mid-conversation.

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Reporters at the White House routinely complain about Biden’s staff ignoring them, ghosting them or trying to intimidate them into silence, while being seemingly unable to handle even the simplest requests.

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