'Dating' vs. 'Relationship': Which Term Should You Use?
There are so many different terms to describe the goings-on in one’s romantic life that it can be hard to keep up. Terms like "ghosting," "breadcrumbing" and "rizz" may have you scratching your head when you hear them. But, terms like "dating" and "relationship" to describe your romantic status have long been used—sometimes, interchangeably.
However, the two carry different definitions and levels of emotional involvement. Dating vs. relationship—which term should you use? It depends on your respective situation, but there are a few key differences to look out for.
We’re dissecting the nuances of "dating" versus "relationship" to help you navigate your romantic endeavors with ease and clarity. You may be currently grappling with the excitement of the early days, or seeking stability and commitment. Either way, understanding the implications of these terms can be pivotal in steering your romantic journey.
Related: What Your Favorite Color Says About Your Love Life, According to Relationship Experts
What Is 'Dating'?
Dating is defined as "a stage of romantic relationships in which two individuals engage in an activity together, most often with the intention of evaluating each other's suitability as a partner in a future intimate relationship." Individuals may be dating one person or multiple people.
It's the early days! Dating is a fun period of getting to know someone. You get the opportunity to explore compatibility, shared interests and chemistry before committing to a more serious emotional investment. When you're dating someone, you get to go out to dinners, movie theaters and social events—all with the intention of seeing how much you enjoy this person's company.
Dating allows both parties to assess whether they share common ground and if their connection has the potential to evolve into a more serious relationship.
What Is a Relationship?
There's a level of uncertainty when it comes to dating. If you're regularly seeing someone you really like, there's a chance that they could still be dating others. There's a chance they may not see a future with you. Dating doesn't ensure commitment, but a relationship does.
The label of being in a relationship suggests a much deeper level of intimacy and commitment. When two people make the choice to enter into a relationship with each other, it marks a commitment to growing their emotional, romantic and sexual connection with each other.
Being in a relationship also implies stability and predictability while building a future together. People in relationships often make joint decisions about career goals, living arrangements and long-term aspirations.
Dating Vs. Relationship: What Are the Differences?
In case you're still feeling confused about the differences between dating and relationships, there are a few key nuances that set the two statuses apart.
One of the big ones is commitment. When you're dating someone, there's no real level of commitment to the other person because you're just getting to know them. Why would you commit to someone who's still somewhat of a stranger? Relationships imply that deeper level of commitment to the other person.
Another key difference is exclusivity. Typically, people in relationships are to remain fully exclusive to the other partner. When you're dating, you have the sovereignty to date multiple people at a time as you seek out options.
Levels of communication also differ greatly for people who are dating versus people in a relationship. When you're dating someone, you may be casually texting them throughout the day and engaging in random small talk. People in relationships engage in more frequent phone calls, FaceTimes and funny texts about their day.
How Many Dates Before It's a Relationship?
Some people have claimed that five to six dates is the sweet spot before you can deem it a relationship, while others swear by a 10-date rule. However, it should come as no surprise that everyone is different and there is no magic number of dates before it's a relationship.
Sarah Kahan, a licensed clinical social worker in Brooklyn who helps individuals and couples navigate relationships, told Brides that you can't have this conversation after the first few dates or even in the first few weeks—though you may be itching to know where you stand.
"It takes time to see if a relationship has the ingredients to be something more serious. In the beginning, you want to see if there is commonality, if you enjoy each other, if you are attracted to each other, and that takes time," Kahan explained.
Positive signs that you are heading in the relationship direction are if you feel comfortable getting vulnerable with them, you have solid communication with each other (instead of communication red flags) and you've begun incorporating one another into your lives. This is a good time to start having these conversations and further defining your status with each other.
How Long Does the Average Relationship Last?
According to the Hive Law, the average relationship length lasts two years and nine months. Other interesting statistics are that 70 percent of relationships fail in the first year, two percent of people marry their first love and 36 percent of people meet their significant other through online dating. The average dating relationship before committing to a serious relationship typically lasts around two to four months.
