DTR stands for define the relationship, the conversation where two people decide what they are to each other.
DTR is short for define the relationship. It refers to the moment two people stop guessing and talk openly about whether they are exclusive, casual, or heading toward commitment.
The conversation usually answers questions like are we exclusive, what do we call this, and what do we both want next. It turns an unspoken arrangement into a shared understanding.
People often delay the DTR talk because they fear it will end the fun or push the other person away. In practice, a clear conversation tends to reduce anxiety rather than create it, since uncertainty is one of the biggest stressors in early dating.
A DTR can happen after a few weeks or several months, depending on the pace that feels right. There is no perfect script. Being honest about what you want, and asking the same of the other person, is what matters.
DTR is closely tied to terms like situationship and exclusivity.