computer dating
computer dating
Pronunciation
/kəmˈpjuːtər ˈdeɪtɪŋ/
Syllable Breakdown:
com- /kəm/: A short 'c' sound followed by a schwa, ending in an 'm' sound.
-pu- /pjuː/: A 'p' sound followed by a 'y' sound and a long 'oo' sound.
-ter /tər/: A 't' sound followed by a schwa and an 'r' sound.
dat- /deɪt/: A 'd' sound followed by a long 'a' sound, ending in a 't' sound.
-ing /ɪŋ/: A short 'i' sound followed by a velar nasal 'ng' sound.
Word Form Variations
The term "computer dating" is a compound noun, and its variations are generally limited to its use as a noun and an adjective.
Noun (Singular): computer dating
Noun (Plural): computer datings (less common, but grammatically possible)
Adjective: computer-dating (used to describe something related to the activity, e.g., "a computer-dating service")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A method of finding potential romantic partners or social companions through the use of an automated system, typically a computer program or online service, that matches individuals based on shared interests, personality traits, and demographic information.
Synonyms: online dating, internet dating, matchmaking (in a modern context), cyber-romance
Antonyms: traditional dating, face-to-face dating, blind date (without prior screening), serendipitous encounter
Definition 2: The process or activity of participating in such a system, often involving the creation of a personal profile and communication with matched individuals.
Synonyms: online matchmaking, virtual romance, e-dating
Antonyms: conventional courtship, offline social interaction, in-person flirtation
Adjective
Definition 1: Pertaining to or involving a system that uses computers to match potential romantic or social partners.
Example: "The company launched a new computer-dating service."
Synonyms: online-dating, cyber-matchmaking, technologically-assisted
Antonyms: traditional, in-person, conventional
Examples of Use
"He and his wife, Carol, met on a computer dating service." (Forbes, April 2018)
A character in the television show The Big Bang Theory mentions using a "computer dating service" to find a partner, highlighting the social awkwardness associated with the activity.
"The newspaper article explored the pros and cons of computer dating in the digital age, a topic that has grown in relevance with the rise of apps like Tinder and Bumble."
"In the film You've Got Mail, the protagonists unknowingly engage in a form of computer dating through an early online chat room, showcasing a precursor to the modern online dating scene."
"The book Computer-Dating: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Love Online offers tips and strategies for navigating the world of virtual romance and matchmaking."
"During a town hall meeting, a citizen remarked, 'Back in my day, we didn't have all this online stuff. If you wanted to meet someone, you had to talk to them face-to-face. Now it's all computer dating.'"
"In a video game, the player can choose to use a 'computer dating' mechanic to build relationships with non-player characters by completing quests and responding to their online profiles."
10 Famous Quotes Using Computer dating
“Computer dating? It's terrific if you're a computer!” — Rita Mae Brown
"The market is hugely more efficient People expect to—and this will be increasingly the case over time—access people anywhere, anytime, based on complex search requests ... Our pickiness will probably increase." (Forbes, January 2013)
“It’s not GreatCupid or even GoodCupid. It’s OkCupid.” — Helen Hong
“The computer was born to solve problems that did not exist before.” — Bill Gates (This is a subtle, humorous quote about how many modern problems are caused by the very things that were meant to solve other problems. We can apply this to computer dating and dating apps in general. This is a subtle and ironic usage of the term.)
“Online dating is like online shopping except you’re looking for people no one wants and it’s $50 a month.” — Phil Pivnick
"I wish there was an online dating website for people who hate online dating." (Unknown)
“If we meet offline, and you look nothing like your pics, you’re buying me drinks until you do.” (Unknown)
“I went from feeling good about myself to feeling like a leper alone in a room typing.” — Ryan Hamilton
"Computer dating... it’s more than an old jam that reminds us of Menace to Society." (Instagram, September 2015)
"The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers." — Sydney J. Harris (This quote, like the one from Bill Gates, is an indirect but powerful commentary on the effect of technology, and by extension computer dating, on human interaction.)
Etymology
The term "computer dating" is a combination of two words, "computer" and "dating," each with its own history.
"Computer" comes from the word "compute," which means to calculate or reckon. This word has Latin roots, from "computare," and was used in English as early as the 17th century to refer to a person who performed calculations. The meaning shifted in the 20th century to describe the electronic machine we know today, especially with the rise of digital technology in the 1940s and 50s.
"Dating" in the romantic sense emerged in the early 20th century, around the 1920s, to describe the activity of going out with a potential romantic partner. It replaced older terms like "courting" and "calling." The word is a form of the verb "to date," meaning to make a social or romantic appointment with someone.
The first known use of "computer dating" as a combined term appeared in the mid-1960s. The concept was a direct result of the increasing accessibility of computers and the desire to apply this new technology to social problems. Early services, like Project TACT (Technical Automated Compatibility Testing) at Harvard, used questionnaires and punch cards to match students. The idea was to use the machine's ability to process large amounts of data quickly to find individuals with similar interests and backgrounds, an approach that was considered novel and scientific at the time. The term was coined to describe this specific application of computer technology to the process of finding a romantic partner.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Computer dating
A blast from the past, like old-school computer dating. (A phrase used to describe a nostalgic or outdated method, specifically referencing the early days of online matchmaking.)
A real-life version of computer dating. (Used to describe a social situation where people are matched by others, rather than by a machine, but with the same goal of finding a compatible partner.)
The whole thing feels like a computer dating disaster. (An idiom used to describe a social outing or romantic encounter that has gone terribly wrong.)
My love life is a computer dating algorithm gone haywire. (A metaphorical phrase to describe a chaotic or unsuccessful series of romantic connections, comparing it to a malfunctioning program.)
He’s a walking, talking computer dating profile. (A descriptive phrase for someone who seems too good to be true, like a perfectly crafted online profile.)
I'm fed up with this digital dating, I'm going back to face-to-face. (An alternative to "computer dating," used to express a preference for traditional social interaction over online matchmaking.)
It’s a computer dating service for books. (A playful, metaphorical phrase to describe a service or app that matches people with books based on their reading preferences.)
Finding a partner these days is just a big game of computer dating. (A colloquial expression used to imply that modern romance has become overly structured and impersonal, like a game with set rules.)
It’s a different kind of computer dating. (A phrase used to describe a non-romantic application of matchmaking technology, such as a business networking service or a platform for finding friends.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of computer dating from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
