Dictionary

situationship en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˌsɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃənʃɪp/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃənʃɪp/ (US)

Etymology

From situation + -ship or a blend of situational + relationship.

Meanings

1. (informal, neologism) A romantic or sexual relationship in which the parties do not consider or are not clear that they are in such relationship; such that is informal, without the responsibilities of a formal relationship; a companionship.
   • According to a 2024 YouGov poll, for instance, around half of Americans aged 18-34 reported having been, like Holly, in a situationship (a term it defines as “a romantic connection that exists in a gray area, neither strictly platonic nor officially a committed relationship”). 2025 October 12, Alexandra Jones, “‘I realised I’d been ChatGPT-ed into bed’: how ‘Chatfishing’ made finding love on dating apps even weirder”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
   • The thing about being in a situationship – and this is a big thing – is that because you exist in that no-man's-land, the rules of engagement are not spelt out. 2016, Lerato Tshabalala, The Way I See It: The Musings of a Black Woman in the Rainbow Nation, page 110:
   • Seek so much as a kernel of advice on the internet in 2024 about conflicts in a relationship, a situationship or even an affair, and you may find yourself inundated with recommendations to "stand on business." A Hinge match asks to reschedule your first date with 30 minutes' notice? Stand on business. Your ex continues to hit you up months after the breakup? Stand on business. 2024 January 18, Gina Cherelus, “TikTok Is 'Standing on Business.' What Does That Mean?”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 29 Feb 2024:
   • “Might you be pregnant?” I scoffed. “Listen Miss James, I know that you know that my personal life is a mess. There's no way I could be pregnant.” “Mark?” “What about Mark?” “Look, I know you're in a situationship with him...” I sighed, “Listen, Mark and I are friends. And anything that happens between us is very well secured against this.” Dawn shrugged, “Accidents happen.” “Not to me they don't,” I retorted. 2017, Jamila Jasper, The Situationship: BWWM Romance Novel, Publisher s23991
   • “I needed a ‘situationship,’” said Ms. Stevenson, a 31-year-old comedian and writer in Los Angeles. “A person I can rely on and trust to hang out with once a week.” 2021 January 10, Valeriya Safronova, “True Stories of Hooking Up During Covid-19”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 03 Feb 2021:
2. (informal, neologism) A person with whom one is in such a relationship.

Forms

Relateds

friend with benefits