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

In an era when younger people are often criticized for “ghosting” in friendships, dating and work, disappearing without explanation is widely frowned upon.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

“For not telling everyone my secret. For ghosting her. And because she wanted the attention for being on Scrollr.”

From Literature

Nor are there any current moves in the UK to tackle either ghost jobs or recruitment ghosting.

From BBC

Fleming wasn’t alone: A slew of recent posts have accused brands of “ghosting” people after pledging free products.

From The Wall Street Journal