speed dating
Rapid romantic rotation
Speed dating is a structured way to meet potential romantic partners, where participants rotate through brief one-on-one conversations—typically three to eight minutes each—before moving to the next person.
At the end, participants indicate who they'd like to see again, and matches are connected.
The format has spread beyond romance to networking events: The conference included speed dating for startups seeking investors.
Tension-easing social activity
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- small-talkLight, casual conversation
body-language · nervousness · awkwardness · spark · banter · rejection · connection
Unattached individuals
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- crushCompress with force
- prospectsExpected future outcomes
- relationshipConnection between entities
romantic · chemistry · attraction · infatuation · butterflies · hopeful
Duration-tracking mechanism
- bellHollow resonating instrument
- rotationTurning on an axis
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
- scorecardRecord of play
nametag · carousel · buzzer · follow-up · quick-fire
Mutual suitability between things
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
- interestsWhat engages or benefits
- attractionPull toward something
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
scorecard · dealbreaker · type · criteria · prospects
Place of occurrence
- hostOne receiving guests
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- participantsThose actively involved
- registrationFormal recording of participation
organizer · turnout · check-in · ticket · dress-code · after-party
icebreaker
Tension-easing social activity
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
small-talk · body-language · nervousness · awkwardness · spark · banter · rejection · connection
singles
Unattached individuals
relationship · romantic · chemistry · attraction · infatuation · butterflies · hopeful
timer
Duration-tracking mechanism
scorecard · nametag · carousel · buzzer · follow-up · quick-fire
compatibility
Mutual suitability between things
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
- interestsWhat engages or benefits
- attractionPull toward something
chemistry · scorecard · dealbreaker · type · criteria · prospects
venue
Place of occurrence
- hostOne receiving guests
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- participantsThose actively involved
registration · organizer · turnout · check-in · ticket · dress-code · after-party
- matchmakingmatchmaker, matchmakers, matchmaking, matchmaking services, introduction
- personalspersonal ads, personals, SWM, classified ads, ISO
- courtshipcourting, courtship, suitor, betrothal, wooing
- Getting to Know Youintroductions, small talk, first date, icebreakers, meeting
- nightlifebars, clubbing, clubs, nightclubs, bar crawl
- matchmakersmatchmaker, wingman, wingwoman, go-between, intermediary
speed datingchance encounter
Unintended crossing of paths
love at first sight · workplace romance · childhood sweethearts
speed datingarranged marriage
Family-selected spousal pairing
betrothal · committed relationship · exclusive dating · going steady · marriage
speed, dating, speeding, speedily, high-speed, speedboat, speediness, speeded, speedometer