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

Loosely based on speed dating, sans the timed interactions, attendees put on name tags indicating either “I need a room” or “I need a roommate” along with their ideal budget and neighborhoods.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

She plans a bunch of Hanukkah events, such as speed dating, that somehow come together via Instagram in hours.

From Los Angeles Times

The endorsement-supercharged transfer portal has turned college football coaching into a cross between speed dating and a pickup game.

From Los Angeles Times

Co-founders Andrea Ramirez and David Greenberg — who have been hosting speed dating events in L.A. through their company, the Next Fun Thing — launched All Hands on Deck in April after seeing a similar event take place in Seattle.

From Los Angeles Times