speed dating

American  

noun

1. an organized social event in which participants have one-on-one conversations typically limited to less than ten minutes, for the purpose of meeting people they would like to date.

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speed dating British  

noun

1. a method of meeting potential partners in which each participant has only a few minutes to talk to each of his or her dates before being moved on to the next one. At the end of the event, paticipants decide which dates they would like to see again

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Other Word Forms

• speed dater
  noun

Etymology

Origin of speed dating

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

The Times is hosting the event with the Next Fun Thing, which runs L.A. social events from speed dating to kickball tournaments.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

In reality, if I had shown up to speed dating as my complete self, that would have been more than enough to stir sparks with a new flame.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

It’s the opposite of swipe-based dating apps, chatty singles mixers at bars and frenetic speed dating events.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2025

The New York Times political reporter Astead Herndon went speed dating in a swing state to ask daters fun questions like: How early do you tell a prospective date whether you lean red or blue?

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2024

From what she could see, the process looked like speed dating.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan