emotionally unavailable

Definition

Unable or unwilling to engage in emotional intimacy, vulnerability, or reciprocal emotional support in a relationship. Often describes someone who is distant, withdrawn, or dismissive of their partner's emotional needs.

Example Usage

After three years of dating, she realized he was emotionally unavailable and couldn't give her the closeness she needed.

Origin

Psychological term popularized in relationship therapy and self-help discourse starting in the 1990s.

Fun Fact

The phrase became especially prevalent in millennial relationship discourse and social media, often used as shorthand for incompatibility in dating.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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