appoint
uh-POYNT
Appoint (verb) means to choose someone officially for a job or role. Example: “The board appointed her as the new chief executive.”
verb
1
To choose someone officially for a job or role.
"The board appointed her as the new chief executive."
"He was appointed to lead the investigation."
"The council will appoint a new librarian next month."
2
To set or fix a time or place for something, such as a meeting.
"They appointed noon on Friday for the hearing."
"Let us appoint a day when everyone can attend the meeting."
"The judge appointed a place for the two sides to meet."
How to use appoint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially pick someone for a role, or to fix a set time for something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "disappoint" — the two are unrelated in modern meaning despite the shared root letters.
Common pairings
appoint a successor
newly appointed
appoint a committee
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like appoint.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- appoints
- Past tense
- appointed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The board _____ her as the new chief executive.
Etymology
From Old French apointier, "to arrange, prepare," from Late Latin appunctare, "to fix a point," from Latin ad- + punctum, "a point."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for appoint
point
joint
anoint
endpoint
pinpoint
gunpoint
viewpoint
standpoint
disappoint
PowerPoint
checkpoint
needlepoint
See all rhymes for appoint →
Frequently asked questions
What does “appoint” mean?
The word “appoint” means to choose someone officially for a job or role. In plain terms, to officially pick someone for a role, or to fix a set time for something.
How do you pronounce “appoint”?
“Appoint” is pronounced uh-POYNT (/əˈpɔɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “appoint” in a sentence?
Here is “appoint” used in a sentence: “The board appointed her as the new chief executive.”
What is another word for “appoint”?
Words with a similar meaning to “appoint” include accredit, allot, assign, choose, command and decide.
What is the opposite of “appoint”?
The opposite of “appoint” — its antonyms — are decline, disallow, dismiss, fire and ignore.
What part of speech is “appoint”?
“Appoint” is a verb.
Where does the word “appoint” come from?
The word “appoint” comes from Late Latin. From Old French apointier, "to arrange, prepare," from Late Latin appunctare, "to fix a point," from Latin ad- + punctum, "a point.".
Is “appoint” a common word?
“Appoint” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between appoint and elect?
Appoint means someone is chosen for a role by a person or body with the authority to do so, such as a manager appointing a new director. Elect means the choice is made through a vote, typically by a wider group of people. Appointed positions and elected positions are often distinguished in politics and organizations for this reason.
What is the difference between appoint and hire?
Appoint is often used for formal, official, or senior roles, such as appointing a judge or a board member, and can also mean setting a time or place for a meeting. Hire is a more general, everyday word for bringing someone into a paid job at any level.
Can appoint be used for setting a date, not just a person?
Yes, appoint can mean to fix or set a time or place for something, as in "they appointed a date for the trial." This sense is less common in everyday speech but still standard in formal or legal English.
