# appoint

/əˈpɔɪnt/ (US) · /ɐpˈɔɪnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/appoint
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to choose for a job

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to officially choose someone for a job or a position of responsibility.

For teachers: to assign a person to a post, office, or role by authority. Transitive, taking a direct object often followed by 'as' or 'to'.

- The board decided to appoint a new director to lead the project.
- The prime minister intends to appoint a seasoned diplomat to the vacant embassy post in hopes of stabilizing regional relations.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice: 'She was appointed as chairperson.'

### 2. to fix a time or place

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to decide on a specific time or place for something to happen.

For teachers: to determine or fix a time or place for an event by authority or agreement.

- The court will appoint a date for the hearing next week.
- The committee has yet to appoint a specific venue for the international summit, citing ongoing security concerns.

Usage: Commonly used in legal or official administrative contexts.

### 3. to furnish or equip

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

to provide a room or building with furniture and equipment.

For teachers: to furnish or equip a place completely with necessary fittings. Frequently encountered as the past-participial adjective 'appointed'.

- The hotel rooms were beautifully appointed with antique furniture.
- The library was sumptuously appointed with dark oak shelving and leather-bound volumes, reflecting the wealth of its original owner.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively seen in the form 'well-appointed' to describe high-quality rooms or houses.

## Examples

- The board will appoint a new director next week.
- The committee decided to appoint a neutral mediator to help resolve the dispute between the two departments.
- Under the terms of the new constitution, the president has the power to appoint senior judges, though these selections must be ratified by a majority vote in the senate.

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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.