ghosting

American  

[goh-sting] / ˈgoʊ stɪŋ /

noun

1. the appearance of multiple copies or blurred representations of an object on a screen or in an image.

2. 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.   Irish goodbye.  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.

3. 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.

4. 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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Etymology

Origin of ghosting

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

Example Sentences

Washington has spent the past few years ghosting Robin Zeng, China’s fourth-richest man.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The social fallout can be tough, with the heaviest bettors sometimes ghosting friends entirely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Ontario is also moving to tackle the separate recruitment issue of "ghosting", whereby companies don't reply to applicants.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

But why does it feel like the upcoming year is just another middling situationship I’m ghosting?

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2025

“Thought you were ghosting for a second,” Arthur says.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera