What does FWB mean to you?

To me FWB would be someone in a friendship group that I had sex with occasionally.

Anything more , then it's a relationship isn't it?

I'd love to hear what your FWB thinks it is. Sounds more committed and intense that most people's genuine relationships to me.

I think a majority of people would describe yours as an open relationship from your side. You can call it FWB obviously, they are minefields that inevitably end sadly because they mean different things to those that are in them.

Would he feel as happy for you if you were to meet someone else and withdraw the fwb relationship?

Just out of curiosity OP... why do you not consider it a relationship, and, why don't you guys become an 'official' relationship? What's stopping you?

Agree with others that the spectrum goes fuck buddy ... FWB...casual dating ... non committed relationship ... exclusive relationship.

I'm in an open marriage and we recently "recategorised" ourselves to poly because we were happier with ourselves and our other partners being further up that line. At the start I was only really comfortable with DH seeing fuck buddies, or some limited elements of FWB. He was freaked out by my offering emotional support to people and we had to work out how we felt on a load of things; like was it OK for him to attend an event with someone, was it OK for me to help someone move house, could I meet someone's child even as a friend... it's not the sex, but the level of reliance on the other person I think that changes the tone.

You sound like you rely on one another quite a bit OP.

(edited for typo)

OP, you've answered how you'd feel if he got together with someone else.

How would you feel if he asked if you wanted to be in an exclusive relationship with him? Would you consider it?

I have a FWB, we are genuinely friends and when we are both single we also sleep together. We both go on dates and openly chat about it to the other person. Neither of us want to be in a relationship with the other one, but its nice to do couply stuff with someone when you're single. We sometimes go out for meals cinema etc and sometimes he just comes over late or picks me up if I'm out as he doesn't drink.

When either of us are in a relationship we still chat a bit on message and might meet up for a daytime activity. But we don't see each other or speak as much. We've been like this on/off for 20 years and it works for us!

I think your FWB probably thinks your in a relationship... I think it's important to be honest and make sure you're not hurting people.

For me a fuck buddy is someone who you only see for sex and if sex is off the cards you wouldn't bother. So no meals out, chatty texts etc

For me, a friendfship WB is exactly that: you're friends and do friends things, like going hiking, or to the movies, or go out with other friends; you have sex when you feel like to; but you are not in love with that person. There is no romance. If your FWB starts dating another woman, you may feel a bit bothered that you have lost part of his time as a friend (as it happens when any other friend gets coupled up) and the sex you were sharing, but you're not "jealous", you wouldn't be with him romantically anyway.

I agree with this if both parties feel the same way and are genuinely happy with the situation (although I do think usually one person wants more), otherwise it's basically one person waiting until something better comes along. But then writing this, it makes me think we probably should do this for much longer rather than rushing into being in a relationship as most of us do (mostly women) and we'd all probably be in much better relationships

What does FWB mean to me? A disaster waiting to happen. A man living his best life.

To me, FWB is all the fun and sex, with none of the expectations, commitment or emotional entanglement of being a couple.

I'd also describe yours as an open relationship OP. You have the fun, sex, expectations and emotional entanglement sides, but none of the commitment.

I also would assume it would mostly be sex, not going to dinner etc otherwise I feel if you're exclusive it's bordering on a relationship but you don't actually like each other enough to commit?

Friends with benefits, someone you have sex with but no commitment to. I'd generally say you weren't exclusive, but some may choose to be exclusive.

If you didn't want an opinion on your relationship status, why did you describe it in such great detail in your OP!?
YOU might call your situation FWBs but WE call the situation you've described an open/non-exclusive relationship.
Sounds like the two of you have a much deeper connection than just the sex/lust of being FWBs.

I also always categorise FWB and fuckbuddies as different names for the same thing too. Take the coy out of 'benefits' and it's basically 'buddies with fucking'!
OP your set up does sound much more like an open relationship than a FWB to me, but if it works for you both and you both know where you stand then just crack on.

What you describe OP is a relationship - albeit a vaguely open one.

A FWB is just that: a friend that you have sex with from time to time.

Yours sounds like a ( not very good/ open ) relationship not FWB; to me I wouldn’t be in touch w a FWB several times a day, go away w them on trips or make plans all the way till summer. Also, from my perspective, it’s supposed to be a bit more lighthearted than supporting each other through difficult life events.

But thats not answering the question.

It appears he is giving the impression to his family that you are his girlfriend.

And you giving the impression that he is your boyfriend.

I have had a FWB before.

We meet if both of us happen to be single and up for it. What sets it apart from a "f buddy" situation is, we will go for a walk beforehand. Afterwards we will enjoy a nice cuddle and a chat.

However, theres no feelings there only lust. And thats only see if you're in the mood.

Yours is a low commitment relationship / open relationship to me

FWB is we meet up, have sex, have a laugh and a drink and a chat. We call each other when we’d like to have sex, not a weekend of walks on the beach.

I might go to see a film or a gallery with them but fairly rarely because that’s not what the relationship is.

I had a FWB situation very like yours when I was in my 20s, OP - we were genuinely good friends, hung out all the time, went to the cinema, for drinks, food etc. lots of texting back and forth, and sex. And yet it was very definitely not a romantic relationship - I was always completely sure that that wouldn't work out long-term, and I never thought of him as my boyfriend.
We gradually drifted apart once I met (now) DH, and I haven't heard from him in years now. Very fond memories though.

I don’t see fwb and fuck buddies the same at all, to me fuck buddies are people that aren’t friends but just meet up for sex no talking in between, don’t hang out together and don’t do things together, fwb friends that also have sex but also hang out together but aren’t in an exclusive relationship

In my mind:

fuck buddy - just have sex, nothing else beyond that.

friend with benefits - enjoy a bit of time together (in my case they’ve always been part of friendship group so been at some of same nights out, parties etc) and have sex. Not exclusive, no expectations.

casual dating - go on dates and have sex. May turn into more if it goes well. Not exclusive. Might meet friends socially.

boyfriend / girlfriend / relationship etc - exclusive, intend / hope to have a future, meet friends and family.

I’ve never done casual dating…. either had a sex-based arrangement or an exclusive boyfriend.

FWB and fuck buddies are the same thing.

Yours does sound more like an open relationship but I think FWBs/fuck buddies do have a large spectrum.

For most, it’s just about not wanting the commitment.

That could mean that they act like they’re in a relationship and are open to others knowing that they’re seeing each other or that it’s much more of a secret and it’s just purely sex.

Obviously in your situation one of you (I assume him) doesn’t want a long term commitment but you’re both very compatible, which is why it’s about more than just sex.