Tinder and Bumble are buzzing with the newest dating lingo trends that are hotter than a fresh cup of coffee. From “male-casting” to “kiss-met,” these terms are the secret code to navigate the modern dating world. So, grab your phone, swipe away, and get ready to decode the language of love in the digital age!
Loud Looking
Whether it’s a “Man in Finance” or “Gamer Girlfriend,” singles are ditching the vague and getting vocal and specific about their needs and desires, confidently and unapologetically.
Kiss-met
is a playful twist on “kismet,” meaning destiny or fate. A Kiss-met embodies the idea of seeking out spontaneity and stumbling upon joy. It’s essentially a modern rebrand of the classic “meet cute.”
Nano-ships
No romantic connection felt too small to matter. Singles are finding meaning in even the tiniest interactions—whether it’s something serious or just for fun, those little micro-moments are leading to real possibilities.
Micro-mance
It’s clear that people want romance, but instead of grand gestures, they’re embracing it through micro-mance (simple gestures that show you care). In fact, the majority (86%) of singles surveyed agree that how we show affection has changed to include behaviors like sending memes, a playlist, or sharing inside jokes. On Bumble, ‘The quickest way to my heart is’ is one of the top prompts globally, showing that micro-mance is already alive and well on the app.
On The Same (Fan) Page
In 2024, sports took the spotlight, but we’re also seeing a rise in micro-communities—like book clubs and run clubs—plus fandoms and niche interests taking over our social feeds.
DWM (Date With Me)
It’s clear that people want romance, but instead of grand gestures, they’re embracing it through micro-mance (simple gestures that show you care). In fact, the majority (86%) of singles surveyed agree that how we show affection has changed to include behaviors like sending memes, a playlist, or sharing inside jokes. On Bumble, ‘The quickest way to my heart is’ is one of the top prompts globally, showing that micro-mance is already alive and well on the app.
Male-Casting
there have been more conversations on male stereotypes than ever before. But are these narratives actually helpful? 1 in 4 (27%) men surveyed say they feel uncomfortable about these tropes because they can lead to people making assumptions about their character. As we head into 2025, over half of women (53%) surveyed agree that the conversations around masculinity need to evolve to allow men to define what positive masculinity looks like.
Future-Proofing
With 95% of singles surveyed saying that their worries about the future are impacting who and how they date. Our data shows that a majority (59%) of women respondents want a partner who brings emotional stability—someone who’s emotionally dependable, steady, and knows what they want in life. Looking ahead, singles can expect these conversations to be top of mind from the get-go, with 1 in 4 (27%) women pushing these topics to be discussed earlier than before. After all, it’s easier to enjoy the dating experience when you know you’re on the same page about what’s ahead.
Guys That Get It
The rise of the guy best friend. Nearly a third (31%) of single women surveyed say they are more open with their male friends than they used to be about their dating lives. Among women, 1 in 5 (22%) respondents now ask their male friends to vet potential dates, and a majority (54%) rely on the men in their lives to offer honest insights into men’s dating behavior.
A huge thank you to the yearly Tinder ‘Year in Swipe’ and to Bumble’s research about the hottest trends of 2024!.
