What Does NSA Mean in Dating?

Co-authored by Lisa Shield and Eric McClure

Last Updated: July 5, 2024 Fact Checked

If you’re getting back in the dating game (or entering it for the first time), you might be wondering what all of these dating acronyms stand for. We’ll break all of that down in this article. We’ll even cover a few other common dating acronyms while presenting the pros and cons of an NSA arrangement.

Section 1 of 4:

What does NSA mean in dating?

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In dating, NSA stands for “no strings attached.” A no strings attached arrangement means that there are no commitments, requirements, or responsibilities for either partner in the relationship. Basically, you get to have sex without all of that dating and courting business. If you see someone looking for an NSA arrangement, they are likely looking for something physical that isn’t all that emotionally serious.^{[1]
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- You will often find “NSA” referenced in dating profiles on Tinder, Grindr, or classified sites.
- Someone might mention that they’re “looking for an NSA hookup” or, “only interested in NSA.”
- Some NSA arrangements are long-term, while some NSA meetups are strictly one-night stands.
- There is usually an implication that privacy and discretion will be respected when engaging in an NSA hookup.
- You should be careful while making your profile and putting pictures while dating online.^{[2]
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  Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
  Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors
  
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- For example, do not put pictures that show you wearing tons of makeup, drinking with girls, or showing too much skin.
- There are plenty of predatory men who use online dating sites to get sex from women. They may see the pictures and think that you are not smart enough because you are putting such pictures online, and they can get you.^{[3]
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  Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
  Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors
  
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Section 2 of 4:

Pros of an NSA Relationship

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Relationships can be messy, and there’s no doubt that they come with all kinds of headaches. You have to spend money on dates, put effort into wooing your partner, and take the time to communicate and connect. With an NSA arrangement, there’s no expectation that you have to do any of that stuff; it’s just hookup and go home!^{[4]
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EXPERT TIP

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan
Dating Coach

You should still make it clear you're looking for something casual, though. Strike a balance between being direct and charming to help set up a fun, no-pressure encounter that both of you can enjoy.
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You can have fun and fulfill your physical needs. We’re not telling you anything you don’t know when we say sex is a good time. An NSA arrangement is strictly about physical intimacy, so you can let loose and get down at your own leisure.^{[5]
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- Just make sure that you’re comfortable with the person you’re sleeping with. NSA doesn’t mean you can’t say “no,” so don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something you don’t want to.
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You get to pursue other partners. With an NSA hookup, you’re still free to go out and look for Mr. or Ms. Right. There’s no reason you have to stay abstinent while you’re on the hunt for your soulmate! Alternatively, you can just hookup with multiple partners and stay single for as long as you want. All is fair when it comes to what the heart wants.^{[6]
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- If you’re taking a break from dating, NSA can be a great way to still get out every now and then and get your rocks off.
There’s no expectation of a long-term commitment with an NSA relationship. If you ever want to cut ties with the person you’re seeing, simply let them know you’re no longer interested and move on—there shouldn’t be any hard feelings.^{[7]
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Chiara Atik, Dating Coach

On dating sites/apps, NSA stands for “no strings attached,” indicating one seeks a casual sexual relationship without commitment or emotional attachment. Profiles boldly listing this reveal intent for emotion-free hookups, one-night stands, or arrangements strictly for physical satisfaction. While conveniently honest, leading with NSA may deter more discerning matches seeking meaningful connections leading to long-term partnership.

Section 3 of 4:

Cons of an NSA Relationship

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You might catch feelings. It’s easy to say that you’re going to sleep with someone and never fall for them, but it’s actually super difficult for a lot of people. There’s always going to be a risk that you start falling for someone you’re intimate with. The kicker here is that you’ve got an agreement that nothing serious will happen between you two. This can be difficult to handle on an emotional level.^{[8]
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- Some people like to say that they can have sex without attaching any emotional weight to it, but your brain actually releases oxytocin—the hormone responsible for emotional attachment—when you’re physically intimate with someone.^{[9]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
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The person you’re sleeping with may become attached. In the same way you might catch feelings, the person you’re seeing can fall for you. When this happens, you may end up with someone who can’t take a hint. If things get ugly, you may have to block a phone number, stop going to your regular hangout, or deal with an obnoxious guy/gal who can’t leave you alone.^{[10]
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- This is why a lot of people don’t invite their NSA partners to their home. It can be a little dicey to invite someone who’s barely a step above a stranger into your personal space.
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It can be risky to sleep with people you don’t know very well. There’s no doubt that there are some creeps out there. While there’s nothing wrong with casual sex, you are taking some chances when you sleep with someone. You could catch an STD, or be unknowingly meeting up with a dangerous person. Always screen your partners carefully and meet them in a public place before you take them to bed.^{[11]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

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- Always use protection. It’s extremely important to use condoms if you’re sleeping with someone you don’t know very well.
- Let a friend know when and where you’re going to meet up with your partner.

Section 4 of 4:

Other Dating Lingo

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FWB: friends with benefits. A friend with benefits is someone you sleep with without dating. This might sound like the same thing as an NSA arrangement, but the word “friend” is pretty key in “friends with benefits.” People typically know their FWB partner for a good chunk of time before they start sleeping them, so the dynamic can be a little more intimate.^{[12]
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MBA: married but available. Don’t expect someone with MBA in their Tinder bio to be interested in introducing you to their parents—these guys and girls are married. They may have an open relationship with their husband or wife, or they may be trying to start an affair (it’s usually the former if they’re advertising it online).^{[13]
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- If someone mentions that they have an MBA or they put an MBA after their name, they probably just mean that they went to business school. MBA can also stand for master of business administration!
If someone wants an ONS, they’re looking to have sex once and move on. Don’t expect anyone with ONS in their classified post or Grindr profile to be interested in meeting up more than once.^{[14]
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Outside of dating, NSA may refer to the National Security Agency, which is one of the main intelligence agencies in the United States.^{[15]
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