rendezvous
B2Semi-formal to formal; also used in military/aviation contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A meeting at an agreed time and place.
A pre-arranged meeting; a place designated for a regular meeting; a tryst; (verb) to meet at such a time and place.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is borrowed from French and retains a sense of a planned or secretive meeting. As a noun, it can refer to both the event and the location. The plural form 'rendezvous' is pronounced the same but spelled the same.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the word identically in terms of meaning and spelling. UK usage may be slightly more common in formal/business contexts.
Connotations
Generally the same: implies planning, sometimes secrecy or exclusivity. In US English, it can have a stronger romantic connotation ('a romantic rendezvous').
Frequency
More frequent in UK English, especially in written and formal contexts; still common in US English but can sound slightly more literary or deliberate.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We rendezvoused at the hotel.The spacecraft will rendezvous with the station.They agreed to rendezvous in Paris.Let's use the cafe as our rendezvous.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A rendezvous with destiny”
- “A rendezvous with fate”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for planned meetings, especially with a degree of formality or importance (e.g., 'a rendezvous with a key investor').
Academic
Used in history (e.g., 'a rendezvous for explorers') or in technical/scientific writing about orbital mechanics (e.g., 'orbital rendezvous').
Everyday
Used for planned meetings between friends, or more often, for romantic/secretive meetings.
Technical
Specific term in aerospace/military for the meeting of two vehicles/vessels at a precise point (e.g., 'docking rendezvous').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The agents will rendezvous at the safe house.
- The two regiments rendezvoused at the crossroads.
American English
- The fighters will rendezvous with the tanker plane.
- Let's rendezvous at the bar at eight.
adjective
British English
- The rendezvous coordinates were transmitted securely.
- They identified a suitable rendezvous site.
American English
- The rendezvous point was marked on the map.
- We need a rendezvous location downtown.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We have a rendezvous at the park tomorrow.
- The cafe is our favourite rendezvous.
- They arranged a secret rendezvous in the old library.
- The spacecraft will rendezvous with the satellite.
- The clandestine rendezvous was compromised by an informant.
- Diplomats from both countries held a discreet rendezvous on neutral ground.
- The orbital rendezvous and docking procedure was executed flawlessly by the autonomous systems.
- Their midnight rendezvous, shrouded in intrigue, became the catalyst for the diplomatic incident.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two friends saying, 'We'll RENDEZ at the VIEW point' – a 'rendez-vous' (French for 'present yourselves') at the scenic spot.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEETING IS A DESTINATION (We have a rendezvous at point X). TIME/EVENT IS A LOCATION (Their rendezvous with history).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not directly equivalent to 'свидание' (which is more specifically a date/romantic meeting).
- Avoid overusing for casual meetings; better for planned/formal ones.
- The verb form ('to rendezvous') has no direct Russian verb equivalent; use 'встречаться (в назначенном месте)'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'rendevous', 'rendezous', 'rendevouz'.
- Pronouncing the final 's' (it is silent).
- Using as a casual synonym for 'meet' ('Let's rendezvous for coffee' can sound pretentious).
- Incorrect plural: 'rendezvouses' (correct: 'rendezvous').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'rendezvous' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English: /ˈrɒndeɪvuː/ (RON-day-voo). In American English: /ˈrɑːndeɪvuː/ (RAHN-day-voo). The final 's' is silent.
The plural is also 'rendezvous', pronounced the same way. Example: 'We have several rendezvous scheduled this week.'
It is semi-formal to formal. Using it for very casual meetings can sound affected or pretentious. It is standard in military, aviation, and technical contexts.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to meet at an agreed time and place.' It is conjugated normally (rendezvous, rendezvouses, rendezvoused, rendezvousing). Example: 'The teams rendezvoused at the base.'
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