मीटिंग
A meeting is when a group of people come together to talk about something.
Explanation at your level:
A meeting is when people get together. You can have a meeting with your friends or your teacher. It is a time to talk and share ideas. If you have a meeting, you are not alone!
A meeting is a planned time when people talk. For example, you might have a meeting at work to talk about a project. It is a very common word in English. You can 'have' a meeting or 'go to' a meeting.
A meeting is a common noun used for both professional and social gatherings. In a work context, it usually involves an agenda and a specific purpose. It is important to know how to 'set up' or 'cancel' a meeting. Using this word helps you communicate your schedule clearly to others.
The term meeting is versatile and can describe anything from a casual catch-up to a formal corporate assembly. Native speakers use it to describe the event itself. Nuance matters: a 'meeting' is often viewed as a task-oriented event, whereas a 'gathering' might be more social. Mastery involves knowing when to use 'meeting' versus specific synonyms like 'consultation' or 'briefing'.
In advanced English, meeting can be used in figurative ways, such as 'a meeting of minds' (when people agree perfectly). It is also used in legal and diplomatic contexts to describe high-level negotiations. Understanding the register is key; in high-stakes environments, 'meeting' might be replaced by 'summit' or 'deliberation' to imply greater importance.
At the C2 level, one appreciates the etymological depth of meeting as an intersection of paths. It appears in literary contexts to describe the convergence of ideas or destinies. One must also understand the cultural baggage of the word: in modern corporate culture, 'meeting' is sometimes used ironically to describe unproductive time, leading to phrases like 'meeting fatigue'. This reflects the word's evolution from a simple encounter to a complex socio-professional construct.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A meeting is a gathering of people.
- It can be formal or informal.
- Commonly used in work and school.
- Use 'have' or 'attend' with it.
A meeting is a fundamental part of human interaction. Whether you are at school, work, or hanging out with friends, you are likely to participate in one. At its core, it is simply the act of people gathering in one place—either physically or virtually—to achieve a specific goal.
In a business context, meetings are the engine of productivity. They allow teams to brainstorm, solve problems, and ensure everyone is on the same page. However, they can range from quick, five-minute check-ins to long, formal board gatherings. Understanding how to participate effectively in a meeting is a key skill for any successful career.
The word meeting comes from the Old English verb 'metan', which means 'to come upon' or 'to encounter'. Over time, it evolved from simply bumping into someone on the street to a more structured event.
Historically, the term was used to describe religious gatherings or town halls where community members would assemble to discuss local laws. By the 19th century, as industrialization grew, the term became firmly associated with the modern workplace. It is fascinating to see how a simple act of 'meeting' someone has transformed into a structured, scheduled event in our modern lives.
You will hear the word meeting everywhere. In casual settings, you might say, 'Let's have a quick meeting for coffee.' In professional settings, it sounds more formal: 'We have a board meeting at 3 PM.'
Common collocations include 'hold a meeting', 'attend a meeting', and 'schedule a meeting'. The register varies; while 'meeting' is neutral, you might use 'conference' for something larger or 'huddle' for something very quick and informal.
1. Meet halfway: To compromise. Example: We couldn't agree on the price, so we decided to meet halfway.
2. Meet your match: To face someone as strong as you. Example: He thought he was the best player until he met his match.
3. Call a meeting: To request a gathering. Example: The boss had to call a meeting to discuss the new rules.
4. Meet the deadline: To finish on time. Example: We worked hard to meet the deadline.
5. Meet the eye: Something is more complex than it appears. Example: There is more to this situation than meets the eye.
The noun meeting is countable, so you can have 'one meeting' or 'many meetings'. It is often used with articles: 'The meeting was long' or 'I have a meeting'.
Pronunciation-wise, it is stressed on the first syllable: MEE-ting. It rhymes with 'seating', 'greeting', and 'fleeting'. In both British and American English, the 't' sound is often softened in casual speech.
Fun Fact
The word has been used since before the 12th century!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ee' sound, 't' is crisp.
The 't' can sound like a soft 'd' in fast speech.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'ee' as 'i'
- Missing the 'ng' sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
One meeting, two meetings
Articles
A/The meeting
Verbs of Event
Have a meeting
Examples by Level
I have a meeting today.
I / have / a / meeting / today
Use 'a' for singular count nouns.
The meeting is at ten.
The / meeting / is / at / ten
Use 'at' for time.
Is the meeting long?
Is / the / meeting / long?
Question structure.
We had a meeting.
We / had / a / meeting
Past tense of 'have'.
I like the meeting.
I / like / the / meeting
Simple present.
No meeting today.
No / meeting / today
Negative statement.
Where is the meeting?
Where / is / the / meeting?
Wh-question.
The meeting is fun.
The / meeting / is / fun
Describing the meeting.
We have a staff meeting every Monday.
The meeting room is on the second floor.
Can we schedule a meeting for tomorrow?
I missed the meeting because I was sick.
The meeting was very productive.
Are you going to the meeting?
Please bring your notes to the meeting.
The meeting finished early.
We held a meeting to discuss the new budget.
I have a series of meetings all afternoon.
The meeting was adjourned until next week.
He called a meeting to address the concerns.
It was a brief meeting, but we solved the issue.
She is attending a meeting in London.
The meeting agenda was sent by email.
I'm looking forward to our meeting.
The board meeting resulted in a major policy change.
We need to facilitate a meeting between the two departments.
He chaired the meeting with great efficiency.
The meeting was a complete waste of time.
They are in a closed-door meeting right now.
The meeting provided a platform for open discussion.
We had a meeting of minds regarding the strategy.
The project meeting was postponed due to illness.
The diplomatic meeting was fraught with tension.
A chance meeting at the airport changed his life.
The committee held a meeting to deliberate on the proposal.
The meeting of the two cultures created a unique art form.
He avoided the meeting to escape the scrutiny of his peers.
The meeting was a mere formality.
They scheduled a meeting to reconcile their differences.
The meeting proved to be a turning point in the negotiations.
The clandestine meeting took place in the dead of night.
Their meeting was a serendipitous convergence of interests.
The meeting of the minds led to a breakthrough in physics.
The annual meeting of shareholders is a formal affair.
He found the meeting to be an exercise in futility.
The meeting of the waters creates a beautiful waterfall.
The meeting of the board was marked by heated debate.
Their lives crossed in a meeting that defied logic.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"meet halfway"
to compromise
We met halfway on the price.
neutral"meet your match"
to encounter someone as skilled as you
He finally met his match.
neutral"meet the eye"
to be visible or apparent
There is more to it than meets the eye.
neutral"call a meeting"
to organize a gathering
The manager called a meeting.
neutral"meeting of the minds"
an agreement or shared understanding
We had a meeting of the minds.
formal"meet your maker"
to die (euphemism)
He met his maker yesterday.
literaryEasily Confused
Verb vs Noun
Meet is the action, meeting is the event.
I will meet you at the meeting.
Similar meaning
Gathering is more social.
A party is a gathering.
Similar event
Conference is much larger.
A big business conference.
Similar purpose
Appointment is for one person.
A doctor's appointment.
Sentence Patterns
I have a meeting at [time].
I have a meeting at 5.
The meeting is about [topic].
The meeting is about sales.
We are holding a meeting to [verb].
We are holding a meeting to decide.
He is in a meeting with [person].
He is in a meeting with the boss.
The meeting was postponed until [time].
The meeting was postponed until Monday.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
'Meet' is a verb, 'meeting' is the noun.
Meeting is singular.
Need an article.
Use 'have' for events.
Make is wrong here.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your office table.
Native Speakers
They use it for everything.
Cultural Insight
Meetings are for efficiency.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'ee' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'a meet'.
Did You Know?
It's an ancient word.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences.
Business Tip
Always have an agenda.
Plural Rule
It's a regular noun.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
MEET + ING (I am meeting people).
Visual Association
A group of people sitting around a table.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 meetings you have this week.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: to encounter or come upon
Cultural Context
None, but 'meeting' can sometimes imply a waste of time in corporate humor.
Meetings are a huge part of corporate culture in the US and UK.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Work
- agenda
- minutes
- action items
School
- parent-teacher meeting
- group project
Social
- coffee meeting
- catch-up
Travel
- meeting point
- airport meeting
Conversation Starters
"Do you have any meetings today?"
"What is the most productive meeting you've had?"
"Do you like long meetings?"
"How do you prepare for a meeting?"
"Have you ever missed an important meeting?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your typical workday meeting.
Write about a meeting that changed your mind.
If you could skip all meetings, would you?
What makes a meeting successful?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is the gerund or present participle of 'meet', but often used as a noun.
No, it is singular.
A room where meetings happen.
Yes, very often.
A meeting for employees.
Yes, especially via Zoom.
It is neutral.
Add an 's' to make 'meetings'.
Test Yourself
I have a ___ today.
Meeting is the noun needed.
Which verb goes with meeting?
We say 'have a meeting'.
A meeting is always formal.
Meetings can be casual.
Word
Meaning
Common collocations.
Subject-verb-adjective.
Score: /5
Summary
A meeting is simply people coming together for a purpose.
- A meeting is a gathering of people.
- It can be formal or informal.
- Commonly used in work and school.
- Use 'have' or 'attend' with it.
Memory Palace
Imagine your office table.
Native Speakers
They use it for everything.
Cultural Insight
Meetings are for efficiency.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
Example
हमारी अगली मीटिंग सोमवार को है।
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