adj
Common
commissioned
kuh-MIH-shuhnd
Commissioned (adj) means holding an official rank or authority granted through a formal appointment. Example: “Only commissioned officers were allowed to enter the senior mess.”
adj
1
Holding an official rank or authority granted through a formal appointment.
"Only commissioned officers were allowed to enter the senior mess."
"She is a commissioned member of the navy and leads a small unit."
"He became a commissioned officer after completing training."
2
Ordered and paid for specially.
"The library hung a commissioned portrait of its first director."
"Is that mural a commissioned work or did the students paint it themselves?"
"The painting was a commissioned piece for the mayor's office."
"Completion marks the end of the process where the commissioned artwork is delivered to the client."
— Gavin Ambrose, Paul Harris (2008)
How to use commissioned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOfficially appointed, or specially ordered and paid for.
Common pairings
commissioned officer
commissioned artwork
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like commissioned.
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
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only _____ officers were allowed to enter the senior mess.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
noncommissioned
Related words
Rhymes for commissioned
See all rhymes for commissioned →Frequently asked questions
What does “commissioned” mean?
The word “commissioned” means holding an official rank or authority granted through a formal appointment. In plain terms, officially appointed, or specially ordered and paid for.
How do you pronounce “commissioned”?
“Commissioned” is pronounced kuh-MIH-shuhnd (/kəˈmɪʃənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “commissioned” in a sentence?
Here is “commissioned” used in a sentence: “He became a commissioned officer after completing training.”
What part of speech is “commissioned”?
“Commissioned” is an adjective.
Is “commissioned” a common word?
“Commissioned” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “commissioned” have?
“Commissioned” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: holding an official rank or authority granted through a formal appointment.
What is the difference between a 'commissioned' and a 'non-commissioned' officer?
A commissioned officer holds an official rank and authority granted through a formal appointment, usually giving them command over others. A non-commissioned officer rises through the enlisted ranks and holds authority based on experience and position rather than a formal commission.
What is the difference between 'commissioned' and 'appointed'?
Both involve being formally placed in a role, but 'commissioned' often implies being granted official rank and authority, or being specifically ordered and paid to produce something. 'Appointed' is broader and simply means chosen or assigned to a position or task.
What is the difference between 'commissioned' and 'decommissioned'?
'Commissioned' means brought into official service or specially ordered and paid for, while 'decommissioned' means formally taken out of active service. A ship, for example, is commissioned when it enters service and decommissioned when it is retired.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include commissioned:
