What Does ‘Breadcrumbing’ Mean?
Breadcrumbing is giving someone small bits of attention, like occasional messages, to keep them interested without any real commitment.
Dating & friendships verb
Examples of ‘Breadcrumbing’ in a sentence
- “He only texts when he is bored. That is breadcrumbing.”
- “I felt breadcrumbed after weeks of vague messages.”
Where does ‘Breadcrumbing’ come from?
The term became popular in the 2010s; Wikipedia has an article about it.
How to use it, and when not to
Use it to describe mixed signals. If you feel stuck, an honest chat helps.
For parents and teachers
Fine around parents and teachers. Safe. It is a relationship term.
Related slang
Frequently asked questions
What does Breadcrumbing mean?
Breadcrumbing is giving someone small bits of attention, like occasional messages, to keep them interested without any real commitment.
Where does Breadcrumbing come from?
The term became popular in the 2010s; Wikipedia has an article about it.
Is Breadcrumbing OK to say around parents or teachers?
Fine around parents and teachers. Safe. It is a relationship term.
How do you use Breadcrumbing in a sentence?
He only texts when he is bored. That is breadcrumbing. I felt breadcrumbed after weeks of vague messages.
More dating & friendships slang
Bestie, Ghosting, Green flag, Pookie, Red flag, Rizz. Or browse the full A–Z / try the Slang Translator.
Sources
Definition written by VibeDex. Slang changes quickly, so this is a snapshot. Last reviewed 2026-10-23.