What is date? Pronunciation and usage in English

date means . Learn how to pronounce and use date through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of date

datenoun

/deɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of date

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "date." It's a tricky one because it's commonly mispronounced! Here's the breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • ˈdeɪt (stress on the first syllable)

Let's break it down further:

  • "De-": This part sounds like the word "day." It's a short, sharp "d" sound followed by a long "e" sound.
  • "-te": This part sounds like "t" (as in "top"). It's a very quick, light "t" sound.

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • "daɪt" (with the "i" sound): This is the most common mistake. It sounds like the word "diet." The "a" sound is what matters.
  • "deit" (with a "t" sound at the end): This is also a common mistake, but it's not quite right.

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Think "day": Focus on the initial "de-" sound like the word "day".
  • Quick "t": Make sure the "t" sound at the end is very quick and light – almost like you're barely saying it.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you another example word to practice?

Usage and examples with the word date in English

Let's break down how to use the word "date" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As a Verb (Action - To Go Out With Someone)

  • Meaning: To spend time with someone romantically, usually as a couple.
  • Examples:
    • "I’m going on a date with Mark tonight."
    • "They've been dating for six months."
    • "We need to date more often."
    • "She asked him on a date."
  • Phrases:
    • "Go on a date"
    • "Have a date"
    • "Set up a date" (meaning someone arranges a date for you)

2. As a Noun (A Specific Event – One Particular Occurrence)

  • Meaning: A specific day or event. This is its most common usage now.
  • Examples:
    • "I have a date with the dentist next week." (Referring to a specific appointment)
    • "What's your date for the project deadline?"
    • "The date of the conference is November 15th."
    • “I wrote the date on the calendar.”
  • Using Numbers: Often used with numbers to specify a day.
    • "May 12th is our date."

3. As a Noun (A Person You’re Going Out With)

  • Meaning: The person you're on a date with.
  • Examples:
    • “I met him on a date.”
    • “He’s a nice date.”
    • "She went on a date with a handsome stranger."

4. As an Adjective (Referring to a specific time or event)

  • Meaning: Relating to a certain day or time. (Less common usage, but important to know.)
  • Examples:
    • "Let’s date this information for accuracy." (Meaning to check it carefully)
    • "Ancient dates are difficult to determine precisely."

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • "Date" vs. "Hang Out": "Date" implies a romantic or potentially romantic intention. “Hang out” is simply spending time together, perhaps casually.
  • "Dating" vs. "Seeing": “Dating” specifically refers to the process of going on dates. “Seeing” is a more general term for spending time with someone, it doesn’t necessarily carry romantic connotations.

Here’s a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To spend time romantically "I'm going on a date tonight."
Noun A specific day/event "What's the date of the meeting?"
Noun The person you're with "She's a great date."
Adjective Relating to a specific time "Let's date this data."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you trying to use the word "date" in? (e.g., a conversation, writing something, etc.)

Synonyms for the word date

Idioms of the word date

to date
until now
  • To date, we have received over 200 replies.
  • The exhibition contains some of his best work to date.

Practice with vocabulary date

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The deadline to submit the proposal is next Friday; please ensure you meet the ___________.
  2. The project's initial ___________ suggested a completion in Q3, but now it seems Q4 is more realistic.
  3. We need to verify the ___________ of manufacture on these components before installing them to ensure compliance.
  4. The team received a clear ___________ to complete the critical task by the end of the quarter.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Please confirm the exact ___________ you are available for the video conference next month. (A) hour (B) date (C) moment (D) time slot

  2. The software license has an expiration ___________ of December 31st, 2024. (A) duration (B) limit (C) date (D) period

  3. The final ___________ for submitting all expense reports is the last business day of the month. (A) cut-off (B) deadline (C) period (D) time

  4. Archaeologists often ___________ artifacts to understand their historical context and chronological order. (A) classify (B) identify (C) date (D) preserve

  5. The board meeting's ___________ was unexpectedly changed due to a conflict in the CEO's calendar. (A) venue (B) agenda (C) timing (D) purpose

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: We need to ascertain when the contract officially began. Rewrite:

  2. Original: The company specified the moment by which all applications must be received. Rewrite:

  3. Original: It's important to find out the age of this ancient artifact. Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. date
  2. forecast
  3. date
  4. mandate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. (B) date
  2. (C) date
  3. (A) cut-off, (B) deadline, (D) time
  4. (C) date
  5. (C) timing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We need to ascertain the official start date of the contract.
  2. The company specified the deadline for all applications.
  3. It's important to date this ancient artifact.

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