Ship

Ship (verb / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Shipping, Shipper, Ship it)

Definition:

To ship two people is to want them to be in a romantic relationship, whether they are real people or fictional characters. A “ship” is the pairing itself, and a “shipper” is a fan who supports it.

Where Ship Comes From:

It is short for “relationship”. The word came from 1990s online fan communities around TV shows such as The X-Files, where fans argued about which characters should be a couple. It became common across fandoms and later across social media in general.

How People Actually Use Ship:

Fans say they “ship” two characters or celebrities, combine their names into a couple name, and defend their favourite pairings online. It is also used in everyday chat: friends might “ship” two mutual friends. A strongly disliked pairing can be called an “anti-ship”.

Is Ship Rude?

No, but shipping real people can be intrusive, and fans have been criticised when they push romantic ideas about celebrities who have not invited them.

Examples in the Wild:

• “I totally ship them.”

  Meaning: I really want those two to get together.

• “That ship has sailed.”

  Meaning: That romance is no longer going to happen.

• “The fandom is arguing about the new ship again.”

  Meaning: Fans are debating a new romantic pairing.

Similar Slang:

Stan, Bestie, Simp, Situationship, Delulu

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