ghosting

[ goh-sting ]

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,. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghosting¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Salon

Chris’ ghosting, however, sparks the opposite in Diarra, transforming her into a hybrid of a suspicious true crime addict and the Final Girl.

From Salon

In dating, ghosting is when someone ends all communication without giving the other person any warning or explanation.

From Los Angeles Times

Dating with autism 'is just ghosting and stress'

From BBC