Dating vs. Engagement — What's the Difference?

Dating is a stage of romantic relationships practised in Western societies whereby two people meet socially with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a prospective partner in a future intimate relationship. It represents a form of courtship, consisting of social activities carried out by the couple, either alone or with others.

An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be fiancés (from the French), betrothed, intended, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged.

The time stated in terms of the day, month, and year

The action of engaging or the state of being engaged

A statement of calendar time, as on a document.

The condition of being in working position

A particular point or period of time at which something happened or existed, or is expected to happen

A mutual promise to get married.

Dates The years of someone's birth and death

The period during which this promise is kept

The time during which something lasts; duration

A pledge or obligation

The time or historical period to which something belongs

A promise or agreement to be at a particular place at a particular time

An appointment

Employment, especially for a specified time

An engagement to go out socially with another person, often out of romantic interest.

A specific, often limited, period of employment

One's companion on such an outing.

A hostile encounter; a battle or skirmish.

An engagement for a performance

(countable) An appointment, especially to speak or perform.

To mark or supply with a date

(uncountable) Connection or attachment.

To determine the date of

The feeling of being compelled, drawn in, connected to what is happening, interested in what will happen next.

To betray the age of

The period of time when marriage is planned or promised.

To go on a date or dates with.

In any situation of conflict, an actual instance of active hostilities.

To have origin in a particular time in the past

The point at which the fencers are close enough to join blades, or to make an effective attack during an encounter.

To become old-fashioned.

The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest.

To go on dates.

The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife.

Present participle of date

That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment of the attention; obligation by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented his acceptance of any office.

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.

An action; a fight; a battle.

An estimation of the age of an artifact, biological vestige, linguistic usage, etc.

The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.

The setting of a date on which an event or transaction is to take place or take effect.

A hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war;

Use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens

A meeting arranged in advance;

A mutual promise to marry

The act of giving someone a job

Employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time;

Contact by fitting together;

The act of sharing in the activities of a group;