Serious Relationship – What Does This Opportunity Entail?

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Expertise: Relationship & Marriage Advice

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Updated: 19 Mar, 2026

Table of Contents

Choose serious-minded apps to meet like-minded people, and clearly state you want a long-term relationship, so you both feel seen and can grow closer.
Commit to open, joint growth by prioritizing your partner's needs, sharing plans and finances, and nurturing daily connection, so you both feel seen and deepen your bond.
Move from casual to committed by spending more time together, mixing in daytime activities, and introducing each other to friends, so you both feel seen and can build a lasting bond.

If you are currently a user of online dating apps, or just dating app free, you know that there are as many variations in relationships as there are people seeking a relationship.

One-night stands, Friends With Benefits, polyamory, alternative sexuality, open relationships, monogamy, casual and serious relationships. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! But this is not an article exploring all the diverse ways that people find companionship. In this article we will explore the serious relationship. What is it, and how do you find one?

Dating apps for those seeking a serious relationship

If you are using dating apps to find your significant other, you would be well advised to concentrate on the apps that have the best record for finding a serious relationship. That would not be Tinder, which branded itself early on as an app for casual hook-ups, although there are more and more committed couples, even marriages, that came about as a result of Tinder.

But a more sure-fire way to find a serious relationship is to use the apps that draw other like-minded people. Favorite online dating sites for those looking to build a serious relationship are

Elite Singles
Match.com
eHarmony
OKCupid
Bumble
Coffee Meets Bagel
The League
Once

Pro-tip: To meet other serious-minded singles, pay the fee to become a member.

This already bumps things up a notch, since those who refuse to pay to meet people usually are those who are only looking for hook-ups. Also, state clearly in your profile that you are only looking to date people interested in a serious, long-term relationship.

That should weed out the users looking only for casual sex. Lastly, if their profile does not contain information, or the type of information that resonates with you, don’t contact them. Waste of time.

What does “serious relationship” actually mean?

What is a serious relationship? Only you can define what the words “serious relationship” mean to you personally. But in general, a serious relationship implies:

You work together to make room in your life for each other
You put your partner’s needs before you own, with a few exceptions for self-care
You are exclusive and monogamous
Both of you are committed to making the relationship last
You both have the sense you are building towards something, a future vision
You are both involved in nurturing the health and well-being of the relationship, sharing the work (and joy)
You’ve met each other’s family, parents, children (if any)
You’ve met each other’s friends
You consider your partner when making large and small decisions

Signs a relationship is getting serious

You’ve been dating a month or so and are very much enjoying your time together. You sense that you both could build something real, meaningful and long term. What are some of the signs that a relationship is getting serious?

You spend more and more time together
You talk and text every day and do not worry about this seeming clingy or needy
You have met each other’s friends and family
You leave things at each other’s houses, like clothing and toiletries
You buy your groceries together and prepare meals together
Your topics of conversation center around future plans
Before you make a decision, you consult with your partner
You openly discuss finances with each other
You’ve discussed the possibility of living together and marriage

Moving into the “serious relationship” phase?

Consider these serious relationship questions:-

The why. What is motivating you to make this a more serious relationship than it currently is?
How do you handle conflict?
Are you pleased with your communication styles?
How will you manage your mutual finances?
How do each of you envision the future?
Will you always have each other’s backs?
What are your individual definitions of cheating? From internet flirting to real life affairs, talk about what constitutes cheating for you

Can a casual relationship become a serious relationship?

Yes, of course. Many serious relationships start out as friendships or just casual dating.

In fact, that is often a great, low-pressure way to begin. Starting out with a casual relationship offers you the luxury of getting to know your partner slowly, and a chance to build a solid foundation step by step.

If you are eager to move your casual relationship towards a more serious one, here are some tips:

Ask to spend more time together. If they agree, you will know they are also interested in escalating things. If they say no, then take that response for what it is, and think about the reality of this becoming a serious relationship.
Do activities at different times. Don’t just date at night, or go over to your partner’s house each time they text you asking you to hang out. Do daytime activities. Take a run together. Go off for a weekend. Volunteer together at the local soup kitchen. The point is to spend some time together not “dating” but “doing”.
Start integrating each other into your respective circle of friends. In the context of your casual relationship, you may have not yet introduced your partner to your friends. Propose this. If they say no, they really aren’t interested, take that as a sign that they don’t want to become more serious with you.

If they say yes, this is a great opportunity to see how they interact with your friends, and of course what your friends think about your new partner. They know you and are invested in seeing you happy, so their opinion will be important.

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Marriage.com Editorial Team Relationship & Marriage Advice

The Marriage.com Editorial Team is a group of experienced relationship writers, experts, and mental health professionals. We provide practical and research-backed advice on relationships. Our content is thoroughly reviewed by experts... Read more to ensure that we offer high-quality and reliable relationship advice. Read less