DictionaryAI

appoint

verb
USuh-POYNT/əˈpɔɪnt/

Formsappoints, appointing, appointed

6 meanings of appoint

Practice

  1. 1
    give a jobverbtransitive
    To choose someone for a job or official position.

    Like a coach choosing who will be the team captain.

    The mayor will appoint a new chief of police next week.

    They appointed her to lead the safety committee.

    UsageSay appoint someone (as) chair, or appoint someone to a group or job.

    Similarname, nominate, assign, designate

    Oppositedismiss

    Note
  2. 2
    time or placeverbtransitive
    To set a fixed time or place for a meeting or event.

    Like marking a day on a calendar so everyone knows when to meet.

    The judge will appoint a date for the trial.

    The council will appoint a place and time for the public meeting.

    UsageMost often in the appointed time or the appointed day.

    Similarset, fix, schedule, arrange

  3. 3
    furnishverbtransitive
    To give a room, building or person all the furniture or equipment they need.

    Like setting up a new house with all the furniture before anyone moves in.

    The hotel rooms are nicely appointed with soft beds and big windows.

    A designer will appoint each room with simple, modern furniture.

    UsageUsually in phrases like nicely appointed or well appointed rooms.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To order or set something firmly by a command.
    Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, appoint means to order or command something firmly.
    When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, appointed means firmly set or ordered by command.
    Note
  2. 5
    verbobsoleteintransitive
    To decide or settle firmly on a course of action.
    For the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, appointed means had firmly decided to do something.
    He had preached twice on the Lord's day, he preached also on Monday, and had appointed to do the same on Tuesday, but died that morning.
    1833, The Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. Matthew HenryHere, appointed means had firmly decided or planned to do it.
    Note
  3. 6
    verb
    To decide who will receive or use a piece of property.

Practice

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Origin

From Old French apointier, meaning to prepare or arrange. This came from Latin words meaning "to" and "a point."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts