Date Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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date

[deษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

calendar

The day of the month or year as specified by a number.

Synonyms

appointment, day, time.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
date

When referring to a social or romantic meeting, or a specific day on the calendar. It indicates a social engagement or a specific day.

  • She has a date with her boyfriend on Saturday.
  • The date for the meeting is set for next Monday.
day

When referring to the 24-hour period, often used to denote time in a general sense or to indicate a specific day of the week.

  • We spent the whole day at the beach.
  • Monday is a busy day for me.
time

When indicating a specific hour or minute, or a general duration. Time is used for scheduling or referencing moments.

  • What time is the concert?
  • It's time to leave for work.
appointment

When scheduling a formal meeting or event, often related to professional or medical scenarios. This typically has a formal tone.

  • I have a doctor's appointment at 4 PM.
  • We scheduled an appointment to discuss the project.

Examples of usage

  • The date of the meeting is set for next Tuesday.
  • What's the date today?
Context #2 | Noun

romantic relationship

A social or romantic appointment or engagement.

Synonyms

appointment, outing, rendezvous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
date

Use 'date' for a social or romantic meeting between two people.

  • They went on a date to the new restaurant
  • She has a date with John tonight
appointment

Use 'appointment' for a formal arrangement to meet or visit someone at a specific time, especially for professional or business purposes.

  • I have a doctor's appointment at 3 PM
  • She has an appointment with a client tomorrow
rendezvous

Use 'rendezvous' for a planned meeting at an agreed time and place, often secretive or romantic. It can have a slightly formal or adventurous connotation.

  • They had a secret rendezvous at the old park
  • Our rendezvous point is the fountain in the square
outing

Use 'outing' for an excursion or trip, usually involving a group of people, often for leisure or enjoyment.

  • We're planning a family outing to the beach
  • The company organized an outing for all employees

Examples of usage

  • He asked her out on a date.
  • They went on a date to the movies.
Context #3 | Verb

socializing

Go out with someone in whom one is romantically or sexually interested.

Synonyms

court, go out with, see.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
date

Commonly used when referring to a social or romantic appointment with someone.

  • I'm going on a date with Jane tonight.
  • We had a lovely date last weekend.
see

A very casual term, often used to imply a less serious or non-committal romantic involvement.

  • I'm seeing someone new.
  • They've been seeing each other for a few weeks.
go out with

Casual and informal term typically used for seeing someone socially or romantically.

  • She is going out with her coworker.
  • When did you start going out with him?
court

Used in a traditional or formal context, often referring to the early stages of a romantic relationship with serious intentions, or a historical practice of seeking someone's affection.

  • He began to court her with flowers and poetry.
  • In medieval times, knights would court ladies with chivalrous acts.

Examples of usage

  • She agreed to date him after the party.
  • They have been dating for a few months.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • Ancient Egyptians used a calendar based on the lunar cycle, recording dates for festivals and planting.
  • The Julian calendar, introduced in 45 BC, reformed the way dates were calculated, leading to the modern calendar we use today.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, specific dates are celebrated as holidays, such as New Year's Day or Independence Day.
  • The practice of setting dates for events, like weddings and anniversaries, highlights the importance of remembering special occasions.

Science

  • Astronomers use dates and specific calendars to time their observations and predict celestial events.
  • The global use of time zones means that the same date can occur at different times around the world, complicating international communication.

Literature

  • Authors often use specific dates in narratives to give context to a character's journey, reflecting timeโ€™s passage.
  • In poetry and storytelling, dates can evoke emotions tied to memory and significant life events.

Origin of 'date'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'date' comes from the Latin word 'datum,' which means 'something given.'
  • Originally used to mark the time of important events, it has evolved to mean both a specific day and a romantic outing.

The word 'date' originated from the Latin word 'datum', which means 'something given'. It was first used in English in the 14th century to refer to the time or period during which something happened. Over time, the meaning evolved to include social or romantic engagements. In modern usage, 'date' is commonly used to refer to both a specific day on the calendar and a social outing with someone.


Word Frequency Rank

With position #355, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.