Meetup vs. Meet-up vs. Meet Up
“Meetup” is a noun for an arranged gathering, and Cambridge also records the hyphenated noun “meet-up.” “Meet up” is the two-word phrasal verb for meeting another person by arrangement.
Use “meet up” for the verb. For the noun, “meetup” and “meet-up” are both documented.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| verb meaning meet informally | meet up | Use the two-word verb. |
| noun naming an informal meeting/event | meetup | Use the closed noun where that spelling is preferred. |
| noun variant | meet-up | The hyphenated noun is also documented. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the expression functioning as a verb?
If yes: Use “meet up.”
If no: For the noun, use “meetup” or documented “meet-up” according to house style.
Caveat: For the noun, choose one documented spelling and apply it consistently within the document.
Examples
Let’s meet up after work.
The two-word form is the verb.
The local meetup starts at seven.
The closed form is a noun naming the event.
They organized a weekend meet-up.
The hyphenated noun variant is also documented.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “meet up” when the expression functions as a verb; use the documented noun form for the person, thing, event, result, or modifier.
Fast Test
If tense or inflection works naturally—such as a past or -ing form—you are using the verb and should keep “meet up” as separate words.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge records “meetup” and “meet-up” as noun spellings while keeping the phrasal verb “meet up” as two words.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- MEETUP — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Noun “meetup,” with “meet-up” documented as a variant
- MEET UP — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Two-word phrasal verb “meet up” for arranging to meet