What does "dating" mean?
A form of romantic courtship typically between two individuals with the aim of assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse.
Dating
noun, verb
noun, verb ·2 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A form of romantic courtship typically between two individuals with the aim of assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse.
- Grammar: dating is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: age dating, age determination, age estimation, artifact dating.
- Useful contrasts: misdate, nonromantic, platonic.
- Usage evidence: Fred took a liking to Jane and started dating her.
How to use "dating"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dating" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dating" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dating" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dating" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dating" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "age dating" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "dating", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A form of romantic courtship typically between two individuals with the aim of assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. countable, uncountable
"Janet was surprised at how much casual dating had changed since she was last single."
- 2 use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens wordnet
- 3 An estimation of the age of an artifact, biological vestige, linguistic usage, etc. countable, uncountable
"1922 (July), A. E. Douglass, "Some aspects of the use of the annual rings of trees in climatic study". The Scientific Monthly 15(1): 5-21. A comparison in seven sequoias between very careful counting and accurate dating in 2,000 years shows an average counting error of 35 years, which is only 1.7 per cent."
- 4 The setting of a date on which an event or transaction is to take place or take effect. countable, uncountable
"But C.O.D. datings are relatively rare. They are so disliked by buyers that they are used by sellers only when the latter are quite uncertain of a buyer's ability and willingness to pay."
Verb
- 1 present participle and gerund of date form-of, gerund, participle, present
Synonyms
All synonyms age datingage determinationage estimationartifact datingascertain agecalendar dating
Antonyms
Example
"Fred took a liking to Jane and started dating her."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dating"?
Common synonyms include: age dating, age determination, age estimation, artifact dating, ascertain age, calendar dating.
How do you use "dating" in a sentence?
Fred took a liking to Jane and started dating her.