Delusionship
what it means
A blend of "delusional" and "relationship". The other person may barely know you exist, which does not stop the internal narrative developing.
A relationship that exists mainly in your own head.
the origin story
A blend that spread through TikTok around 2022-2023, building on the popularity of "delulu" and "situationship".
It completed a vocabulary set — talking stage, situationship, delusionship — describing progressively less real arrangements. The humour depends on being self-applied; used about someone else it's simply unkind.
in the wild
We've spoken twice and I've planned the wedding.
That's a delusionship.
She's convinced he's interested.
Full delusionship. Let her have it.
how to use it
- Self-deprecating about an imagined relationship
- Joking with close friends
- Dating conversations
- As mockery of someone genuinely hurt
- Professionally
- About people struggling with reality in a serious way
related terms
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