Monkey-Barring
What does Monkey-Barring mean?
Monkey-barring is dating slang for holding onto a current romantic relationship while searching for or securing the next partner, like a monkey grabbing the next bar before letting go of the previous one.
Monkey-Barring used in a sentence
“They accused him of monkey-barring because he had the next relationship lined up before ending the first.”
This example shows the term in context rather than treating the definition as a literal word-for-word substitution. Slang often depends on tone, audience, and the conversation around it.
How do you use Monkey-Barring?
The label usually criticizes relationship overlap motivated by fear of being single or a desire to keep a backup connection. It can include emotional or romantic pursuit before the current relationship has actually ended. Online accusations should be treated cautiously because outsiders may not know a couple’s boundaries, timeline, or whether the relationship was already effectively over.
Where did Monkey-Barring come from?
Monkey barring has a longer internet history than many current dating terms. An Urban Dictionary entry using the relationship sense dates to 2005, and the term continued circulating through dating blogs, Reddit, and social media. It received renewed mainstream attention in 2025–2026 alongside a wave of named dating behaviors.
Common variations of Monkey-Barring
Monkey-branching
A close synonym based on the same grab-the-next-branch metaphor.
Monkey barring
The unhyphenated spelling of the term.
Relationship hopping
A broader plain-language description of rapidly moving from one relationship into another.
Monkey-Barring: frequently asked questions
What does monkey-barring mean in dating?
It means keeping hold of a current relationship while lining up or pursuing the next one.
Is monkey-barring new slang?
No. The relationship sense has documented internet use going back to at least 2005.
Why is it called monkey-barring?
The metaphor compares relationship overlap to a monkey holding one bar until the next is securely within reach.
Is moving on quickly always monkey-barring?
No. The term implies overlap or advance lining-up; a fast new relationship after a clean breakup does not by itself prove that happened.