CURVE Meaning: Definition, Use Cases By Teens, Examples (2024)

A step above ghosting, the slang term curving refers to rejecting or ignoring someone who is trying to initiate a romantic or physical relationship by delaying responses to messages or giving lame excuses for not agreeing to meet. The motivation for curving varies from politeness to fear of conflict to passive agression.

Examples of how your teen might use the slang term curve:

-I think he’s curving me. It takes two days or more for him to get back to me.

-If she claims to have to babysit every time I ask her out, is she curving me?
-aw fool ofc she curvin u

-Alex curved Alicia and she’s completely in denial.

-Beyotch curvin me
-that aint it chief

You might learn your child is using this slang term by chance when a text pops up on the phone screen. But while the slang term curve is usually harmless, other teenage slang terms could indicate that your teen is talking about risky behaviors or communicating with potentially dangerous people.

Having a parental control app on your child’s phone will give you peace of mind by alerting you to your child’s exposure to risks encountered on their phone. With a parental control app installed on your child’s phone, you have the control to set alerts to help your teen avoid the pitfalls of predators, drug dealers, and other negative influences. Having the ability to vary the level of monitoring gives you the power to choose what is right for your child, and these levels can be adjusted easily at any time.

Many people dodge confrontations and that’s often a good thing, but not at the cost of cruelly keeping hope alive for someone who has an unrequited crush. The slang expression curve offers an opportunity for you to encourage your teen to avoid being passive agressive or being so overcome by fear of being considered the bad guy, that he/she is unable to gently but honestly divert another person’s advances.

Here are some conversation starters for talking with your teenager about the practice of curving:

• Have you ever curved anyone?
• Has anyone ever curved you?
• What are better alternatives than curving if you’re not interested in someone?
• Why is curving more cruel than outright rejection?