Slang dictionary · English internet slang · English internet slang
What does situationship mean?
Also written: situation-ship, situationships, talking stage
In short
A situationship is a romantic relationship that is more than a friendship but that the two people have never defined as a couple. You text, hang out and may act like partners, but there is no label, no commitment and often no clear future. The word blends situation and relationship, spread from the mid-2010s, and was a finalist for Oxford's Word of the Year in 2023.
Where the word comes from
Situationship combines situation and relationship. Dictionary.com notes it stayed obscure until about the mid-2010s, when dating writers and social media picked it up. In 2023 it made Oxford University Press's Word of the Year shortlist, alongside rizz, the eventual winner.
Signs you're in one
- You act like a couple but have never had "the talk".
- Plans are last-minute and you rarely meet each other's friends or family.
- You are not sure if you are allowed to be jealous.
- One person usually wants more than the other.
How to use it
- "We're not dating, it's more of a situationship."
- "I'm done with situationships. Label it or leave it."
- "My situationship just watched my story and didn't reply. Classic."
- "Can you even break up with a situationship?"
Situationship vs. similar terms
| Term | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| situationship | undefined romantic relationship | ongoing, no label |
| talking stage | getting to know each other | early, may become a relationship |
| friends with benefits | friends who are physical | both agreed it is casual |
| crush | one-sided liking | nothing is happening yet |
FAQ
Is a situationship a relationship?
Not officially. It has feelings and closeness but no agreed label or commitment.
What is the difference between a situationship and friends with benefits?
Friends with benefits is usually a clear casual agreement; a situationship is murkier, with feelings and no clear rules.
How do you end a situationship?
The same way as any relationship: say plainly what you want, and step back if the other person does not want the same.