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pre-dating

Time period which occurs before a couple is officially dating. This span of time includes a significant amount of hanging out (one on one or in a group), flirting, and usually arouses suspicion amongst friends of the two parties. Also see talking.
Friend #1 : Are you and Bobby dating???
Friend #2 : Naw girl, we're pre-dating.
pre-dating by Chontel September 23, 2005
Related Words

pre-dating

The awkward stage of a relationship where the two individuals are spending a lot of time together but have not actually admitted that they are dating.

It is not necessarily a desirable state to be in.

Can also be used to describe two friends of the opposite sex who spend all their time together but who are not actually dating but may as well be. Should not be confused with friends with benefits.
Sandra: So are you and John together?
Jane: No, we're pre-dating at best.
Sandra: Oh...bummer.

Dara: What's up with Laura and Ed?
Anita: Oh, they're pre-dating.
pre-dating by shortirish November 17, 2010

pre-dating

Pre-dating is when someone who is in a relationship that they anticipate will end shortly begins meeting up with other people of romantic interest on date-like encounters.

This is usually done in order to gauge levels of mutual attraction and put out feelers of interest before breaking off the existing relationship in order to hasten the transition from being in a couple to dating new people.

Pre-dating can be distinguished from traditional infidelity because it involves identifying areas of romantic tension to follow-up on in the future rather than engaging in a physical or emotional affair in the present. The practice involves deceiving a person's existing partner, however, and many people see it as nothing but straight-forward cheating.
Since me and my girlfriend are probably breaking up when she moves overseas next month, I thought I'd do a bit of pre-dating and see what else is out there.
pre-dating by K.C.R March 28, 2011

Pre-dating

The act of getting to know a person prior to dating them in a romantic way
You are the first girl I am pre-dating
Pre-dating by Rozanina March 15, 2019

Pre-Dating

Talking to someone while also not talking to others and doing things couples do, but you're not dating.
Me and her are pre-dating.
Pre-Dating by Abrein March 11, 2020

Pre dating

A type of relationship where it is more then friends and there commitment to get it to a couple stage but there is no time to go on dates.
Pre dating by JackCooper2003 January 12, 2025
More from Urban Dictionary

Surf Dracula Syndrome 

A phenomenon in film/television series, most notably streaming series, where the main premise is drawn out to such a point that it takes an entire season or more to get the parts of the series the audience is actually interested in seeing.

For example, if a series is titled "Surf Dracula," a majority of viewers would tune in expecting to see Dracula surfing by the first or second episode. However, the entire first season would instead be tedious padding and backstory before finally ending with Dracula surfing in the last five minutes of the season finale.
I watched "Smallville" on Netflix the other day. Dude, it was ten seasons of filler before he finally flew! Major Surf Dracula Syndrome!
Word of the Day on October 24, 2026
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