Relationships

Ship

What does Ship mean?

Ship means to support or imagine two people or characters as a romantic couple.

Ship used in a sentence

I ship the two detectives because their chemistry carries the whole show.

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 Ship?

Ship functions as both a verb and a noun in fandom: fans ship a pairing, and the pairing itself can be called a ship.

Where did Ship come from?

Ship is shortened from relationship and grew in online fan communities, especially 1990s television fandom and later fanfiction culture.

Common variations of Ship

I ship it

A statement supporting the pairing.

ship name

A blended nickname for the two people.

crack ship

An unlikely or unconventional imagined pairing.

Ship: frequently asked questions

Does shipping mean the couple is official?

No. Fans can ship people who are not canonically together.

Can you ship real people?

People do, though real-person shipping can cross boundaries and make those involved uncomfortable.

Keep learning

Related terms

Browse category
Relationships

Shipping

The practice of supporting, discussing, or creating content about a desired romantic pairing.

Read definition
Relationships

OTP

An abbreviation for one true pairing: a fan’s favorite or ideal romantic couple.

Read definition
Relationships

Canon Couple

A romantic pairing officially established within a story rather than existing only in fan interpretation.

Read definition
Dating slang

Sharking

In mainstream 2025–2026 TikTok slang, actively looking for romantic or sexual prospects with a confident, competitive “shark” mentality.

Read definition