Use the word "date" when giving the ordinal number for a day:

Today’s date is September 4, 2017

This is a good word to know when talking about time or when talking about a schedule:

• We need to set a date for our next meeting.
• The date of the wedding is set for June.
• They don’t have a date yet for their event.
• What’s the date of your birth?

You can also use "date" when describing someone or something that is old:

• His clothes look very dated.
• This clothing is outdated. (outdated = not in style)
• This music dates back to the 1950s.
• Bill’s record collection is a little out of date. (out of date = not new)
• This will probably date me, but I remember hearing this song when I was a little boy.

If something is new or revised, use "up" with "date."

• All our business records are up to date.
• The police gave an up-to-date account of what happened at the scene of the crime.
• This website is updated daily.

Another way of using the word "date" is when describing a meeting with another person:

Cindy and Doug

• Cindy and Doug are dating each other. (This is a romantic relationship.)
• Cindy and Doug are going on a date tonight.
• Phil has a golf date set for Wednesday. (He’s meeting other people to play golf.)
• I have a date with the dentist next week. (I have to see the dentist on Wednesday.)

There’s one last thing to mention about the word "date." A date is a type of fruit that is popular in parts of Europe and the Middle East:

dried dates

• Do you like dates?
• Dates are very sweet.
• Dates are high in fiber.
• Many people like to eat dried dates.

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

First published on December 12, 2012

Updated on September 4, 2017