dating
- 1Spending time with someone to see if you want a romantic relationship with them.
Like spending time with a new friend to find out if you really get along.
Dating can feel exciting and a little scary at the same time.
She thinks dating is easier now that people meet through apps.
UsageThis is the whole activity, as in online dating. One evening out together is a date.
- 2Present participle of date. Use this -ing form after words like is, was, or have been.
They have been dating for almost a year now.
She is dating someone she met at work.
UsageYou can say she is dating him, or just they are dating.
Note
- 3Working out how old something is, such as a bone, a tool, or an old word.
Like guessing how old a tree is by counting its rings.
The dating of the old bones surprised the whole research team.
Carbon dating showed that the bones were about 5,000 years old.
UsageThe method often comes first, as in carbon dating. You talk about the dating of a bone or tool.
Note
Less common meaning
- 4Choosing the day on which something will happen or start to count.
With 90-day dating, the shop can sell the toys before it pays.
Ask the supplier for longer dating, so the bill is due after the holidays.
Note
Showing meanings only.
dating is a form of date
date, verb: To go out with someone because you like them in a romantic way. Full entry
- Spelling
- date → dating: drop the e, add -ing
Practice
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