A roster is a group of romantic or sexual prospects someone keeps in rotation while dating around, like a sports team lineup.
A roster is the lineup of people someone is casually dating, talking to, or sleeping with at the same time. The word borrows from sports, where a roster is the list of active players.
How a Roster Works
Rather than focusing on one person, someone with a roster keeps several prospects in rotation. Some are seen often, others rarely, and the lineup changes as people drop off or get added.
Roster vs. Cheating
Keeping a roster is generally honest non exclusive dating, common in the early stages before commitment. It only becomes a problem when one person believes they are exclusive while the other is quietly running a roster.
Related Behaviors
- Benching is keeping a backup option warm without real interest.
- Cushioning is keeping a roster while already in a relationship.
If you are seeing someone, asking whether they are exclusive is the simplest way to learn if you are on a roster.