Cool MateEncounter vs Meeting
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Encounter
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Meeting
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Meeting
| Encounter | Meeting | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkaʊntə(r)/","/ɪnˈkaʊntəz/","/ɪnˈkaʊntəd/","/ɪnˈkaʊntərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkaʊntər/","/ɪnˈkaʊntərz/","/ɪnˈkaʊntərd/","/ɪnˈkaʊntərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmiːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmiːtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to meet someone or something unexpectedly | A gathering of people to discuss something. |
| Example | We **encountered** a number of **difficulties **in the first week. | We scheduled a meeting for tomorrow morning. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | commonly, frequently, often, be likely to, commonly, frequently, often, be likely to | frequent, regular, annual, series, have, hold, arrange, go ahead, happen, occur, facilities, hall, house, in a/the meeting, meeting about, meeting among, the purpose of a meeting, the minutes of a meeting, the chair of a meeting, frequent, regular, annual, series, have, hold, arrange, go ahead, happen, occur, facilities, hall, house, in a/the meeting, meeting about, meeting among, the purpose of a meeting, the minutes of a meeting, the chair of a meeting, accidental, chance, unexpected, have, meeting with |
| Antonyms | avoid, escape, shun | dispersal, separation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'meet' — 'encounter' is less planned than 'meet'., Using 'encounter' only for negatives — it can describe positive or neutral experiences too., Incorrect verb forms — remember to use 'encountered' for past tense. | Confused with 'meting' which is not a word., Used as a verb instead of a noun., Forget to clarify the purpose of the meeting. |
| Usage notes | Use 'encounter' when talking about coming across someone or something unexpectedly. It is suitable in both spoken and written contexts, but can sound slightly formal in casual conversations. | Use 'meeting' in both formal and informal contexts. Suitable for work, school, or casual gatherings. Avoid in casual conversations where 'hangout' or 'get-together' might feel more natural. |
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Frequently asked questions: Encounter vs Meeting
What's the difference between Encounter and Meeting?
Encounter: to meet someone or something unexpectedly Meeting: A gathering of people to discuss something.
Which is more common: Encounter and Meeting?
Meeting is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Encounter and Meeting?
Encounter is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Encounter and Meeting the same CEFR level?
Encounter: B2, Meeting: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Encounter and Meeting?
Encounter: verb, Meeting: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Encounter: We **encountered** a number of **difficulties **in the first week. Meeting: We scheduled a meeting for tomorrow morning.
Can I use Encounter and Meeting interchangeably?
Not always. Encounter and Meeting are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.