Date vs. Dated — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 12, 2024
A date signifies a specific day on the calendar, often linked with events or schedules, while dated refers to something showing its age or being from a certain time period.
Difference Between Date and Dated
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A date is commonly understood as a reference to a specific day, month, and year, used for identifying, organizing, and planning events or activities. Whereas dated can describe an item, concept, or style that appears old-fashioned or belongs to a particular era, emphasizing its age or obsolescence.
In the context of social interactions, a date might refer to a social appointment or engagement between people, often with a romantic connotation. On the other hand, dated, when used to describe relationships or social practices, suggests that they are no longer modern or widely accepted.
Regarding documents, publications, or digital content, the date is crucial for indicating when the material was written, published, or last updated, providing a timeline for the information's relevance. Dated, in this scenario, could critique the content's relevance, indicating that it may no longer reflect current trends, knowledge, or technology.
In technology and design, something that is dated may lack modern features, aesthetics, or functionalities that are now standard, making it less appealing or efficient compared to current offerings. In contrast, the date of a technology or design release helps contextualize its innovative contributions or limitations at the time of its introduction.
Culturally, certain practices or trends can be marked by their date of prominence, helping to classify them within specific historical or cultural periods. Conversely, describing these elements as dated can critique their current social relevance or acceptance, suggesting a decline in popularity or significance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Specifies a calendar day
Shows age or period relevance
Context
Planning, scheduling
Reflection on style or era
Social Usage
Engagement or meeting
Outmoded or unfashionable
Relevance
Indicates timing or recency
Suggests obsolescence
Technological
Release or creation timing
Lacking modern features
Compare with Definitions
Date
A calendar day.
The conference is scheduled for May 15th.
Dated
Showing age.
The decor in the room felt very dated.
Date
An edible fruit of the date palm.
Dates are a sweet and nutritious snack.
Dated
Reflecting past trends.
The design is dated, reminiscent of early 2000s fashion.
Date
A social appointment.
They went on a date to the movies.
Dated
From a certain time period.
The movie's special effects are clearly dated.
Date
The point in time something occurred.
The letter bore the date of June 3rd.
Dated
No longer current.
His references to pop culture were quite dated.
Date
To mark with a specific time.
The document was dated April 10th.
Dated
To mark or show a specific time.
The letter was dated before the invention of email.
Date
The time stated in terms of the day, month, and year
What is the date of your birth?.
Dated
Marked with or displaying a date.
Date
A statement of calendar time, as on a document.
Dated
Old-fashioned; out-of-date.
Date
A particular point or period of time at which something happened or existed, or is expected to happen
The date of their wedding.
Dated
Marked with a date.
The first dated entry in the diary was from October 1922.
Date
Dates The years of someone's birth and death
Beethoven's dates were 1770 to 1827.
Dated
Outdated.
"Omnibus" is a dated term for a bus.
Date
The time during which something lasts; duration
"Summer's lease hath all too short a date" (Shakespeare).
Dated
Anachronistic; being obviously inappropriate for its present context.
Calling a happy person gay seems awfully dated nowadays; people will assume you mean something else.
Date
The time or historical period to which something belongs
Artifacts of a later date.
Dated
No longer fashionable. en
Slang can become dated very quickly.
Date
An appointment
A luncheon date with a client.
Dated
(obsolete) Alotted a span of days.
Date
An engagement to go out socially with another person, often out of romantic interest.
Dated
Simple past tense and past participle of date
Date
One's companion on such an outing.
Dated
Marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past.
Date
An engagement for a performance
Has four singing dates this month.
Dated
Bearing a date; as, dated and stamped documents.
Date
The sweet, edible, oblong or oval fruit of the date palm, containing a narrow, hard seed.
Dated
Marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
Date
A date palm.
Dated
Bearing a date;
Dated and stamped documents
Date
To mark or supply with a date
Date a letter.
Date
To determine the date of
Date a fossil.
Date
To betray the age of
Pictures of old cars date the book.
Date
To go on a date or dates with.
Date
To have origin in a particular time in the past
This statue dates from 500 BC.
Date
To become old-fashioned.
Date
To go on dates.
Date
The fruit of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, somewhat in the shape of an olive, containing a soft, sweet pulp and enclosing a hard kernel.
We made a nice cake from dates.
Date
The date palm.
There were a few dates planted around the house.
Date
The addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (especially the day, month, and year) when the writing or inscription was given, executed, or made.
The date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin, etc.
US date : 05/24/08 = Tuesday, May 24th, 2008. UK date : 24/05/08 = Tuesday 24th May 2008.
Date
A specific day in time at which a transaction or event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of time.
The date for pleading
The start date for the festival is September 2.
Do you know the date of the wedding?
We had to change the dates of the festival because of the flooding.
Date
A point in time.
You may need that at a later date.
Date
(rare) Assigned end; conclusion.
Date
(obsolete) Given or assigned length of life; duration.
Date
A pre-arranged meeting.
I arranged a date with my Australian business partners.
Date
One's companion for social activities or occasions.
I brought Melinda to the wedding as my date.
Date
A romantic meeting or outing with a lover or potential lover, or the person so met.
We really hit it off on the first date, so we decided to meet the week after.
We slept together on the first date.
The cinema is a popular place to take someone on a date.
Date
(transitive) To note the time or place of writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its execution.
To date a letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter
Date
(transitive) To note or fix the time of (an event); to give the date of.
Date
(transitive) To determine the age of something.
To date the building of the pyramids
Date
(transitive) To take (someone) on a date, or a series of dates.
Date
To have a steady relationship with; to be romantically involved with.
Date
To have a steady relationship with each other; to be romantically involved with each other.
They met a couple of years ago, but have been dating for about five months.
Date
(ambitransitive) To make or become old, especially in such a way as to fall out of fashion, become less appealing or attractive, etc.
This show hasn't dated well.
The comedian dated himself by making quips about bands from the 1960s.
Date
To have beginning; to begin; to be dated or reckoned.
Date
The fruit of the date palm; also, the date palm itself.
Date
That addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (as day, month, and year) when the writing or inscription was given, or executed, or made; as, the date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin. etc.
And bonds without a date, they say, are void.
Date
The point of time at which a transaction or event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of time; epoch; as, the date of a battle.
He at once,Down the long series of eventful time,So fixed the dates of being, so disposedTo every living soul of every kindThe field of motion, and the hour of rest.
Date
Assigned end; conclusion.
What Time would spare, from Steel receives its date.
Date
Given or assigned length of life; dyration.
Good luck prolonged hath thy date.
Through his life's whole date.
Date
To note the time of writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its execution; as, to date a letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter.
Date
To note or fix the time of, as of an event; to give the date of; as, to date the building of the pyramids.
The letter is dated at Philadephia.
You will be suprised, I don't question, to find among your correspondencies in foreign parts, a letter dated from Blois.
In the countries of his jornal seems to have been written; parts of it are dated from them.
Date
To have beginning; to begin; to be dated or reckoned; - with from.
The Batavian republic dates from the successes of the French arms.
Date
The specified day of the month;
What is the date today?
Date
A particular day specified as the time something will happen;
The date of the election is set by law
Date
A meeting arranged in advance;
She asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
Date
A particular but unspecified point in time;
They hoped to get together at an early date
Date
The present;
They are up to date
We haven't heard from them to date
Date
A participant in a date;
His date never stopped talking
Date
The particular day, month, or year (usually according to the Gregorian calendar) that an event occurred;
He tried to memorizes all the dates for his history class
Date
Sweet edible fruit of the date palm with a single long woody seed
Date
Go on a date with;
Tonight she is dating a former high school sweetheart
Date
Stamp with a date;
The package is dated November 24
Date
Assign a date to; determine the (probable) date of;
Scientists often cannot date precisely archeological or prehistorical findings
Date
Date regularly; have a steady relationship with;
Did you know that she is seeing an older man?
He is dating his former wife again!
Date
Provide with a dateline; mark with a date;
She wrote the letter on Monday but she dated it Saturday so as not to reveal that she procrastinated
Common Curiosities
How does the date of a cultural trend contribute to understanding its context?
It helps classify the trend within a specific historical or cultural period.
Why might a technology be considered dated?
If it lacks modern features or efficiencies now considered standard.
How is the term 'date' commonly used?
It's used to refer to a specific day in the calendar, a romantic meeting, or the point in time an event occurs.
What does it mean when something is described as dated?
It means it appears old-fashioned or out of touch with current trends or standards.
Can the relevance of information be determined by its date?
Yes, the date can help assess the recency and potential relevance of information.
How can a product's release date impact its reception?
It can influence expectations and how its features are judged against current standards.
How does dating events help in planning?
It allows for scheduling and organizing activities or meetings in advance.
Is dated always a negative term?
Often, but it can also simply indicate something's age or era without a negative connotation.
What does it mean to go on a date?
It refers to a social meeting between two people, typically with romantic intentions.
Does something being dated make it less valuable?
Not necessarily; it might reduce contemporary appeal but can increase historical or nostalgic value.
Can dates affect the perception of documents or content?
Yes, as they provide context regarding when the content was produced or last updated.
Can a person's views or language be considered dated?
Yes, if they reflect attitudes or terminology no longer widely accepted or used.
What is the significance of dating documents or letters?
It records when they were written, providing a temporal context.
What impact does dating have on historical understanding?
It aids in placing events, artifacts, or practices within a specific timeframe, enhancing comprehension.
Can a fashion style become dated?
Yes, as trends change, styles can appear outdated or characteristic of a past era.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Salvadoran vs. Salvadorian
Next Comparison
Increase vs. IncreasementAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
