hang out vs go out vs date

[keannu]

I heard "hang out" is the lightest relationship with the other sex, while "go out" is a grey area, and "date" is a serious relationship. In terms of seriousness, hang out < go out < date. What do you think?

20)Tom and Ann work in the same office and they are very good friends. They often hang out together. When they go out, Tom usually
pays for all the expenses. Ann tries to insist on paying the expenses herself, but Tom doesn’t let her pay at all. Ann always feels that she owes something to Tom. One day,Tom suggests going to a concert together. Ann accepts his suggestion, but this time she doesn’t want Tom to pay for the concert. In this situation, what would Ann most likely say to Tom?

 

[probus]

When Tom suggests that they go to a concert together, he may well be asking Ann for a date. We don't have enough context to know for sure. But in many cases dating someone is the same as going out with someone on a regular basis.

 

[konungursvia]

Seems right, but don't forget, US English is not the only variety in the world, and these terms are limited to AmE, at least with those exact shades of meaning. And you forgot "hook up," "go steady," "be in a relationship," "be together," "be an item," and a few others.