Reading Theme:
Date Meaning: Calendar, Romance & Verb Usage (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：calendar date (date)
date
/deɪt/
n. & v.
A specific day shown by a number on a calendar, like the 5th of October.
calendar date
➕
/ˈkælɪndər deɪt/
n. & v.
A specific day on a calendar, usually indicated by a number and often used to refer to a particular event or deadline.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'data' (given), past participle of 'dare' (to give).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a calendar with a circled date; then two people meeting for that date.
📖 Example
I need to check my calendar to see what date is good for our study group meeting.
I need to check my calendar to see what date is good for our study group meeting.
🔗 Collocations
due date – the latest date by which something must be done
closing date – the final date for submitting something
expiration date – the date after which something is no longer valid
🔄 Synonyms
day (n.) – a specific day of the month or year
time (n.) – a particular point in time, often specified
appointment (n.) – a scheduled time for a meeting (though more common for people)
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'date' for time comes from Latin 'data', used in Roman letters to mark the day of writing. The romantic meaning emerged in early 20th-century American slang, probably from 'making a date' on a calendar.
Meaning 2：romantic date (date)
date
/deɪt/
n. & v.
A planned meeting between two people, especially for a romantic purpose, like having dinner or watching a movie.
romantic date
➕
/roʊˈmæntɪk deɪt/
n. & v.
A planned social meeting between two people, typically romantic, such as dinner or a movie.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My sister is very excited because she has her first date with her new friend this Saturday.
My sister is very excited because she has her first date with her new friend this Saturday.
🔗 Collocations
first date – the initial romantic meeting between two people
blind date – a date where the people have not met before
double date – a date involving two couples
🔄 Synonyms
rendezvous (n.) – a meeting at an agreed time and place, often romantic
appointment (n.) – a scheduled meeting, though less romantic
tryst (n.) – a secret meeting between lovers (more literary)
Meaning 3：go on a date (date)
date
/deɪt/
n. & v.
To go out with someone for a romantic or social meeting.
go on a date
➕
/ɡoʊ ɒn ə deɪt/
n. & v.
To spend time with someone romantically, typically in a social setting.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
They met at a language exchange event and have been dating for a few months now.
They met at a language exchange event and have been dating for a few months now.
🔗 Collocations
date someone – to have a romantic relationship with someone
date casually – to date without serious commitment
start dating – to begin a romantic relationship
🔄 Synonyms
see (v.) – to date someone, often used in 'seeing someone'
go out with (phrase) – to date someone romantically
court (v.) – to date someone with the intention of marriage (formal)
Wordbook
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