# anointed

/əˈnɔɪnəd/ (US) · /ɐnˈɔɪntɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anointed
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

chosen or officially named for a high position, often by someone powerful. It can also describe someone who has had oil or water put on them during a religious ceremony.

For teachers: consecrated or set apart by a ritual application of oil; by extension, designated or chosen for a high office or status by a superior authority. Often used as a participial adjective in political or corporate contexts.

## Examples

- He is the anointed successor to the CEO.
- The young politician was seen as the anointed candidate of the party leadership long before the primary began.
- In many ancient cultures, the anointed monarch was believed to rule with divine approval, a status reinforced by elaborate coronation rituals involving sacred oils and public oaths.

## Usage notes

- Often follows a linking verb or precedes the noun it modifies; frequently used in the passive voice when functioning as a verb.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.