ghost
(Christianity, literary, chiefly, archaic) A spirit; a human soul.
“He believes in ghosts.”
Slang comparison
ghostvsghosting
What's the difference between ghost and ghosting?
Ghost is the verb and the noun (the ghoster, the act). Ghosting is the gerund — the ongoing-action noun. 'They ghosted me' uses ghost; 'ghosting is so common now' uses ghosting. Same word, different grammar.
Side-by-side
| Dimension | ghost | ghosting |
|---|---|---|
| Category | 🎮 Gaming | 💘 Relationships & Dating |
| Region | US | Global |
| Lifecycle | — | Mainstream |
| First attested | ~2010 | ~2018 |
| Generation | gen z | gen alpha |
| Views | 83 | 902 |
| Editorial status | community | community |
Top definitions
ghosting
Ending a relationship by suddenly disappearing — no call, no text, no explanation. A specific 2010s+ dating-app crime. By the 2020s it had gone professional too: job candidates ghost offers, recruiters ghost finalists. The verb is now universal.
“"Third ghosting this month. The market is cooked."”
Origin: Dating / app-era coinage, popularized on TikTok and in lifestyle journalism, 2018–2024.
Usage guidance
When to use ghost
Past-tense action or the person.
When to use ghosting
The phenomenon or ongoing action — used in conceptual discussion.
FAQ
What's the difference between ghost and ghosting?+
Ghost is the verb and the noun (the ghoster, the act). Ghosting is the gerund — the ongoing-action noun. 'They ghosted me' uses ghost; 'ghosting is so common now' uses ghosting. Same word, different grammar.
When should I use ghost?+
Past-tense action or the person.
When should I use ghosting?+
The phenomenon or ongoing action — used in conceptual discussion.
Are ghost and ghosting interchangeable?+
They overlap heavily but the connotations are different. Use the "when to use" sections above to pick the right one.