Ghosted: meaning, examples and when to use it
Short answer: “Ghosted” means that someone stopped answering your messages without saying why. If a person “ghosts” you, they suddenly go quiet.
What does “Ghosted” mean in English?
To “ghost” someone is to stop replying to their messages or calls, with no explanation. The person disappears like a ghost. It can happen with a friend, a group or a company. It can hurt, so people use the word with care.
Examples of “Ghosted”
- I texted him three times, but he ghosted me.
He did not reply. - The company ghosted me after the interview.
No answer after a job interview. - She ghosted the group chat and never replied.
A person leaves a chat without a word.
When do you use “Ghosted”?
- When someone stops answering without a reason.
- In casual chat and online.
- To talk about a bad experience with messages.
Is “Ghosted” safe to use?
The Teen Talk lessons mark “ghosted” as very informal. It describes something that can hurt, so do not use it as a joke about a person. At school, at work and in formal writing, say “did not reply”. Slang changes fast, so its meaning can change.
Common mistakes with “Ghosted”
- It is not about real ghosts.
- It is not for a short delay. It means that the person never answers.
- “Ghost” is also a verb: “They ghosted me”, not “They ghost to me”.
Similar expressions
- A word in the same group: “FOMO”. See slang about friends and feelings.
Questions
What does “Ghosted” mean in English?
“Ghosted” means that someone stopped answering your messages without saying why. If a person “ghosts” you, they suddenly go quiet.
Is “Ghosted” safe to use?
The Teen Talk lessons mark “ghosted” as very informal. It describes something that can hurt, so do not use it as a joke about a person. At school, at work and in formal writing, say “did not reply”. Slang changes fast, so its meaning can change.
Is “ghosted” only for friends?
No. People also say it about companies, for example after a job interview.
What is the verb?
“To ghost”. For example, “They ghosted me.”
Part of the English slang guide and of slang about friends and feelings, in the 🗣️ Teen Talk tool.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.