verb
Uncommon
designate
DEHZ-ihg-nuht
Designate (verb) means to officially choose or name someone or something for a particular role or purpose. Example: “The building was designated a historic landmark.”
verb
1
To officially choose or name someone or something for a particular role or purpose.
"The building was designated a historic landmark."
"She was designated as team leader for the project."
adj
1
Chosen for a role but not yet officially holding it.
"The ambassador-designate will take office next month."
How to use designate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially pick something or someone for a specific job or purpose.
Common mistake
As an adjective it comes after the noun, as in "chairman-designate," meaning chosen but not yet in post.
Common pairings
designate a successor
designated area
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- designates
- Past tense
- designated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The building was _____ a historic landmark.
Etymology
From Latin designatus, past participle of designare, "to mark out" — the same root as "design."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for designate
See all rhymes for designate →Frequently asked questions
What does “designate” mean?
The word “designate” means to officially choose or name someone or something for a particular role or purpose. In plain terms, to officially pick something or someone for a specific job or purpose.
How do you pronounce “designate”?
“Designate” is pronounced DEHZ-ihg-nuht (/ˈdɛz.ɪɡ.nət/ in IPA).
How do you use “designate” in a sentence?
Here is “designate” used in a sentence: “The building was designated a historic landmark.”
What is another word for “designate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “designate” include entitle, name, style and earmark.
What part of speech is “designate”?
Depending on how it is used, “designate” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “designate” come from?
The word “designate” comes from Latin. From Latin designatus, past participle of designare, "to mark out" — the same root as "design.".
Is “designate” a common word?
“Designate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “designate” have?
“Designate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to officially choose or name someone or something for a particular role or purpose.
