先看看维基百度对dating 的解释，和date 差不多，Dating, a form of courtship which may include any social activity undertaken by, typically, two persons with the aim of assessing each other's suitability as a partner。里面没有提说date必须是异性，但是有提到伴侣，所以普通朋友之间的不叫date
date 一般是指异性间的约会，例如一些红娘介绍服务就是 dating service，当然也可以用於同性普通朋友之间，或一些很特别或重要的约会或appointment,例如明天要见校长，I have a date with the principal，or见女友父母 a date with my girlfriend's parents.
