orbiting
OR-bit-ing
/ˈɔːr.bɪ.tɪŋ/
The act of staying in someone's digital life (watching their stories, liking posts) after ghosting them or breaking up, without actually communicating.
It is considered a 'haunting' behavior that prevents the other person from moving on.
The story behind the word. The term was coined in 2018 by writer Anna Iovine. It uses the astronomical metaphor of a satellite that circles a planet—close enough to see everything, but never actually touching down.
Word relationships
- haunting: Haunting is a broader term; orbiting specifically uses the metaphor of staying in someone's 'gravitational pull'.
Commonly confused with
- ghosting: Ghosting is total disappearance; orbiting is disappearing from conversation but staying visible online.
Word family
- orbit (verb): To move in a curved path around something.
Collocations
- digital orbiting
- orbiting an ex
- stop orbiting
Example sentences
- "He hasn't texted me in months, but he's still orbiting my Instagram stories every single day." Describing a confusing post-breakup behavior.
- "Orbiting is like ghosting, but you can still see the person's 'ghost' in your notifications." Defining the term.
Memory hook
They are like a moon—always there in the background, but you can't reach them. Close enough to watch, too far to talk.
When not to use
Don't use for someone who is just a casual acquaintance who likes your photos.
Fun facts
- Orbiting is often cited as more psychologically damaging than ghosting because it provides 'false hope'.
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