Noun

dating (uncountable)

1. A form of romantic courtship between two individuals who may or may not expect marriage.

   It was a couple of years before he even started dating again.

2. The process of estimating the age of an artifact or biological vestige.

Derived terms

• radiocarbon dating

Verb

dating

1. Present participle of date.

Anagrams

• dang it

Mandarin

Verb

dating (Pinyin da3ting1, tra 打聽, sim 打听)

1. inquire

Derived terms

• ai4 da3ting1

Dating is a form of courtship, and may include any social activity undertaken by, typically, two persons with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity. Traditional dating activities include entertainment or a meal.

In many cultural traditions, a date may be arranged by a third party, who may be a family member, acquaintance, or professional matchmaker. Internet dating has become popular in recent times.

Although dating etiquette has become more relaxed during the twentieth and twenty first century, there are considerable differences between social and personal values. For example, when an activity costs money (for example, a meal), traditionally the man was expected to pay; but in recent times the practice of "going Dutch" (splitting the expenses) has become more common and more acceptable. With the wider availability of information about traditionally secretive issues individuals are more open about their interest in sexuality both in form of dating language and dress. The difference in expectation of a date in the male / female view of dating is quite marked and clearly shown by the public advice disseminated by popular media, e.g. magazines, which is in stark contrast. The average duration of courtship before proceeding to engagement or marriage varies considerably throughout the world.