Being exclusive is not just a label but it's a way to take your relationship up a notch and commit yourself to just one partner. No formula of any kind can tell you when to go exclusive. You will just have to rely on your instincts and your partner's thoughts. For some people, the line between being in a relationship and being exclusive is not clear. They say that it's the same thing while others call separate them. However, the meaning of being exclusive is the same for everyone: to date just one person.