APOCALYPSING: treating every relationship as if it’s your last; getting serious with someone you just started dating.

ASTRO LOVE: defining compatibility according to zodiac signs. Leos got the most matches of any sign in 2020, apparently.

BENCHING: has nothing to do with bench picnics. Denotes non-committal behaviour, stringing someone along while still on the look out.

BREADCRUMBING: the little crumbs of affection a love interest might drop every so often, to keep you interested, even though they have no intention of taking things further.

FLEABAGGING: after Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s titular character in the series Fleabag – basically, pursuing someone we know is wrong for us.

GASLIGHTING: a psychological form of manipulation, not confined to dating. It causes the recipient to doubt their perception of the world.

Love Island host Irish television presenter Laura Whitmore

GHOSTING: formerly known as the silent treatment, now meaning the complete disappearance of a love interest. Not be confused with “soft ghosting” – the social media equivalent of playing hard to get.

GRANDE-ING: After the Ariana Grande song Thank U, Next. When someone respects and cherishes the positive aspects of their past relationships and uses them to grow as a person.

HARDBALLING: dating like a CEO: when you’re not afraid to say what you want, eg commitment and a long-term relationship. (Gulp!)

INSTA-GATOR: when one half of a new couple takes it to the next level and uses their social media to show friends they have a new partner.

NEW DAWN DATERS: people who broke up with long-term partners during the pandemic.

ORBITING: an old flame slides into your social media to pique your interest, with a series of non-committal “likes” and views.

SLOW DATING: taking time to get to know someone before taking things to the next level: the dating trend of 2021.