Competence Kink Noun (informal) Pronunciation KOM-puh-tuhns kingk IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈkɑm.pə.təns kɪŋk/ Lexicographic Status Emerging term widely used in romance, romantasy, and online fandom communities to describe attraction to exceptional skill, confidence, and capability. Definition Competence kink refers to a strong attraction toward someone whose
Noun (informal) Pronunciation SHA-doh fem IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈʃæd.oʊ fɛm/ Lexicographic Status Emerging term used in discussions of queer romance, character archetypes, and contemporary desire. Definition Shadow femme refers to a character archetype, typically feminine-presenting or woman-aligned, who embodies a combination of emotional depth, control,
Noun (informal) Pronunciation SHA-doh da-dee IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈʃæd.oʊ ˈdæd.i/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of romance, fantasy, and character archetypes. Definition Shadow daddy refers to a character archetype, typically male, who embodies a combination of darkness, power, emotional restraint, and selective
Noun (informal) Pronunciation MOR-uh-lee gray IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈmɔːr.ə.li ɡreɪ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of character archetypes, storytelling, and romance narratives. Definition Morally grey refers to a character who exists between traditional definitions of good and bad, often making decisions that
Noun (informal) Pronunciation EN-uh-meez to LUHV-erz IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈɛn.ə.miz tə ˈlʌv.ərz/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of romance, storytelling, and reader experience. Definition Enemies to lovers refers to a narrative trope in which two characters who begin with conflict,
Book Hangover Noun (informal) Pronunciation BUUK hang-oh-ver IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈbʊk ˌhæŋˌoʊ.vər/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of reading culture, emotional experience, and romance communities. Definition Book hangover refers to the emotional state that follows finishing a book, in which a reader feels
Slow Burn Noun (informal) Pronunciation SLOH burn IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈsloʊ ˌbɝːn/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of romance, storytelling, and reader experience. Definition Slow burn refers to a narrative structure in which a romantic or emotional connection develops gradually over time, rather than immediately. The
Noun (informal) Pronunciation SAF-ik IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈsæf.ɪk/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of sexuality, identity, and queer relationships. Definition Sapphic refers to women who are romantically or sexually attracted to other women, or to identities, relationships, or content associated with that attraction. The
Noun (informal) Pronunciation YUR-ning IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈjɝː.nɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of emotional experience, romance, and desire. Definition Yearning refers to a deep, sustained feeling of desire for someone or something that is not immediately attainable. The experience is often characterized by
Noun (informal) Pronunciation W-L-W IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˌdʌb.əl.juː ˌɛl ˈdʌb.əl.juː/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of sexuality, identity, and queer relationships. Definition WLW, short for women loving women, refers to an umbrella term used to describe women who are romantically
Noun (informal) Pronunciation KOM-phet IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈkɒmˌhɛt/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of sexuality, identity, and modern dating culture. Definition Comphet, short for compulsory heterosexuality, refers to the social assumption or pressure that women are naturally attracted to men, regardless of their actual feelings
Noun (informal) Pronunciation YOO-hawl-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈjuːˌhɔː.lɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of queer dating culture and relationships. Definition U-hauling refers to a dating stereotype originating within lesbian, sapphic, and women-loving-women (WLW) communities in which relationships are perceived to