meetup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, but widely accepted in semi-formal digital/tech contexts.
Quick answer
What does “meetup” mean?
An informal gathering or event where people with shared interests come together.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal gathering or event where people with shared interests come together.
A planned social event, often organized via the internet or social media, for people who share a common hobby, profession, or interest. Can also refer to a specific technology company or platform facilitating such events.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The spelling is consistent. The concept and term originated in American tech culture but is now fully globalized.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with digital/online organization in both varieties. In the UK, it may still retain a faint American tech connotation but is fully naturalized.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the platform's origin, but the term is very common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “meetup” in a Sentence
[organizer] organized a [type] meetup for [group][person] found the meetup through [platform]The meetup focused on [topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meetup” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We should meetup for a coffee next week.
American English
- Let's meetup at the new brewery downtown.
adverb
British English
- This is not used.
American English
- This is not used.
adjective
British English
- The meetup group was very welcoming.
American English
- She's the meetup organizer for the local chapter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tech, marketing, and networking contexts to describe informal professional networking events.
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in papers on sociology, digital culture, or community studies.
Everyday
Common for describing planned social activities like a running group meetup or a knitting circle meetup.
Technical
Specific referent: the Meetup.com platform and its API.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meetup”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meetup”
- Using 'meetup' for a formal business meeting (use 'meeting').
- Misspelling as 'meet-up' (the solid form 'meetup' is now standard, though hyphenated form is sometimes seen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal or semi-formal. It describes casual, interest-based gatherings, not official business meetings.
A 'meeting' is typically purpose-driven, often for business or decision-making. A 'meetup' is social and interest-driven, focused on community and shared activities.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'Let's meetup'), but it's considered non-standard by some. The standard verb phrase is 'meet up' (two words).
No. While the term was popularized by that platform, it now generically describes any informally organized gathering of people with a common interest, however it is arranged.
An informal gathering or event where people with shared interests come together.
Meetup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtˌʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A meet-and-greet (related but more specific, often for fans/celebrities)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MEET' + 'UP' = people meeting up in one place.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNITY IS A GATHERING / SHARED INTEREST IS A MAGNET.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'meetup' be LEAST appropriate?