what constitutes a date

So i was just wondering what constitutes a date. liek if a guy and a girl go to the movies and they guy pays for them both is it a date. If he pays for dinner and a movies is it a date.

Im asking cause a friend of mine is hanging out with her ex (been split since oct) and they have gone to the movies a couple of times and he has bought her ticket and once to dinner b4 the movie and hes paid. I laugh at her and say it was a date but she tells me no it wasnt girls can have guy friends cant they. But i tell her in his eyes its prob a date.

What are your takes on this?

It's not a date unless he uses the word "date" and she hears it. If the guy doesn't say "date" it's just another girl getting a free meal.

Clear communication will really help you. Learn it.