met: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2Neutral, used across all registers from casual conversation to formal writing.
Quick answer
What does “met” mean?
The past tense and past participle of the verb 'meet', meaning to come together with someone or something, often for the first time or by arrangement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense and past participle of the verb 'meet', meaning to come together with someone or something, often for the first time or by arrangement.
Can also denote a point where two things converge or touch (e.g., 'where the sky met the sea'), or to fulfill a requirement, condition, or expectation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and verb conjugation are identical.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “met” in a Sentence
[Subject] + met + [Object] (person/thing)[Subject] + met + with + [Object][Subject] + met + [Object] + for + [event]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “met” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I met my friend in town for a pint.
- Have you met the new neighbours yet?
- The proposal was met with scepticism.
- We first met at university.
American English
- I met my buddy downtown for a beer.
- Did you meet the new neighbors yet?
- The proposal was met with skepticism.
- We first met in college.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for meetings, deadlines, targets, and expectations. 'The team met the quarterly goals.'
Academic
Used for fulfilling criteria, encountering concepts, or historical figures meeting. 'The study met all ethical standards.'
Everyday
Primarily for social encounters. 'We met for coffee yesterday.'
Technical
Used in engineering/math for points of convergence or satisfying conditions. 'The two lines met at a vertex.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “met”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “met”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “met”
- Using 'meet' instead of 'met' in past narratives. (Incorrect: 'Yesterday I meet him.' Correct: 'Yesterday I met him.')
- Omitting the object when it's necessary. (Incorrect: 'We met at 5.') is okay if context is clear, but 'We met them at 5.' is more complete.
- Confusing 'met' with 'meet' in questions. (Incorrect: 'Have you meet him?' Correct: 'Have you met him?')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for abstract things like requirements, standards, or deadlines (e.g., 'met the deadline'), and for physical convergence (e.g., 'where the paths met').
'Met' is general. 'Met with' often implies a formal meeting, discussion, or an encounter with a particular reaction (e.g., 'met with approval'). In American English, 'meet with' is very common for scheduled meetings.
No, it is incorrect. With specific past time references ('yesterday'), use the simple past: 'I met him yesterday.' Use the present perfect ('have met') for experiences without a specific time or where the time is not the focus.
Not in standard usage. The related adjective is 'met' only in very specific compound terms like 'well-met' (archaic) or in the phrase 'met needs'. Do not use it as a general adjective meaning 'encountered'.
The past tense and past participle of the verb 'meet', meaning to come together with someone or something, often for the first time or by arrangement.
Met is usually neutral, used across all registers from casual conversation to formal writing. in register.
Met: in British English it is pronounced /mɛt/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɛt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “met your match”
- “met his Waterloo”
- “met with approval/disapproval”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MET' as 'Made an Encounter Today' (in the past).
Conceptual Metaphor
MEETING IS CONVERGENCE / FULFILLING IS MEETING (a standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'met' INCORRECTLY?