engagement、appointment与date这些名词均有“约会”之意。
engagement : 普通用词，可与本组的另外两个词换用。泛指任何商定的地点和时间见面，专指针对某一目的约会。
- a dinner engagement
晚餐预约 - I'm afraid I have a previous/prior engagement (= another arrangement already made).
对不起，我已经有约了。
appointment : 通常指严格根据时间表上预约的时间进行的约见或约会，其目的主要是讨论公事或业务问题。
- I'd like to make an appointment with Dr Evans, please.
劳驾，我要预约埃文斯大夫的门诊。 - She had to cancel her dental appointment.
她不得不取消去看牙医的预约。 - I've got an appointment to see Ms Edwards at two o'clock.
我约好两点钟跟爱德华兹女士见面。 - I've got a two o'clock appointment with Ms Edwards.
我约好两点钟跟爱德华兹女士见面。 - If he didn't have a secretary to remind him, he wouldn't keep (= remember to be present at) any of his appointments.
如果没有秘书提醒，他会把所有的约会通通忘掉。 - That's the second appointment he's missed.
这是他第二次失约。
date : 主要指朋友之间的随便约见或男女之间的约会。
- He asked her out on a date.
他把她约了出去。 - She has a hot date (= an exciting meeting) tonight.
她今晚有一个朝思暮想的约会。
