save the date

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A request to keep a particular day free in your calendar because an event is planned, with more details to follow.

   Grammar: Often used as a command or a heading on a card: Save the date! June 12.

   Patterns

   • save the date for something
   • save the date: something

   Please save the date: our wedding is on June 12.

   We sent out an email asking everyone to save the date for the reunion.

   The card said 'Save the date' above a photograph of the couple.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   An early notice, such as a card or message, sent to tell guests when an event will happen.

   Grammar: Often hyphenated as a noun: a save-the-date.

   Patterns

   • send a save-the-date
   • a save-the-date for something

   We mailed the save-the-dates six months before the wedding.

   I got a save-the-date for the conference this morning.

   Her save-the-date card had a picture of the venue.

Common combinations

send a save the date

We will send a save the date next week.

save-the-date card

The save-the-date card arrived in the post.

save-the-date email

A save-the-date email went to all staff.

save the date for

Save the date for our annual picnic.

save the date announcement

The save the date announcement came online.

Synonyms and how they differ

invitation

An invitation is the formal request with full details, while a save the date only reserves the day.

announcement

An announcement shares news broadly, whereas save the date asks specific guests to keep a day free.

reminder

A reminder repeats something already known, but a save the date gives the first notice.

heads-up

A heads-up is an informal warning of anything coming, whereas save the date applies only to events.

Word family

save verb

to keep for later use

date noun

a particular day

RSVP verb

to reply to an invitation

invite verb

to ask someone to come

Commonly confused: save the date or RSVP?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “save the date”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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