What Does 'Singles' Mean in Dating, and How Do Singles Use Dating Apps?

Updated

In dating, singles are adults who are not currently in a committed romantic partnership and who are open to meeting potential dates or partners. That includes people who have never married, are divorced or widowed, or are otherwise unpartnered. Dating apps and sites give singles a structured way to create a profile, browse other members, and message people they want to know — Match.com is one example of a platform built for this audience, not the definition of the term itself.

What "Single" Covers — and What It Doesn't

"Single" describes relationship status, not relationship goals. A single person may want casual dating, a long-term relationship, or marriage, and the same app can serve all three. The label says nothing about age, gender, or why someone is unpartnered.

Situation Counted as single? Notes
Never married Yes Most common use of the term
Divorced or separated Yes Separated status may vary by local law
Widowed Yes Often included in dating-site membership options
Casually dating, no commitment Usually yes Depends on how the person describes themselves
In a committed relationship No Even if unmarried

How Singles Use Dating Apps and Sites

The core loop is similar across platforms:

  1. Create a profile. You enter basic details (age, location, what you're looking for) and add photos and a short description. The expected result is a profile other members can view and respond to.
  2. Set preferences. Most sites let you filter by age range, distance, and relationship intent. Choosing "long-term" versus "casual" here shapes who sees you and whom you see.
  3. Browse or get matched. You can search profiles yourself or receive suggested matches. Match.com, for instance, describes itself as a matchmaking-oriented site rather than a pure swipe app.
  4. Message. Once interest is mutual or a paid feature allows it, you send messages and move toward a date. Note that messaging limits and paid tiers vary by platform — check the current plan details before assuming a feature is free.
  5. Meet and reassess. A first meeting in a public place is the standard next step; from there, both people decide whether to continue.

Casual vs. Serious: Choose Settings That Match Your Goal

  • Casual dating: look for apps or modes labeled for casual or short-term connections, and say so in your profile to avoid mismatched expectations.
  • Serious relationship: prioritize sites that ask about relationship goals and let you filter on them. Match.com positions itself around finding relationships, which suits this goal.
  • Ambiguous: state your intent in your bio. Vagueness is the most common source of wasted matches.

Basic Safety Practices for Meeting Strangers Online

  • Keep early conversations on the platform until you trust the person.
  • Meet first in a public place and tell a friend where you'll be.
  • Don't send money or share financial details, regardless of the story you're told.
  • Video chat before an in-person meeting when possible.
  • Trust discomfort: if something feels off, end the interaction.

Deciding Whether an App Is Right for You

Use the same criteria across platforms: does it serve your relationship goal, does its member base match your location and age range, and are its messaging and pricing terms clear before you sign up? If the answer is yes on all three, the app is a reasonable place to start. If not, try another — being single is the entry condition, not a commitment to any one site.