Word
appointment
Phoneticsap·point·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɔɪntmənt/
UK/ɐpˈɔɪntmənt/
Definitions
01a scheduled meeting
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. an arrangement to meet someone at a specific time and place.
n. a formal arrangement to meet at a designated time and place, typically for professional, medical, or official purposes.
“I have a dentist appointment at three o'clock this afternoon.”
“The consultant had to reschedule several morning appointments after her flight was delayed by heavy fog.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'make', 'keep', 'break', or 'reschedule'.
Pitfall
I made an appointment with the dentist.
I have an appointment with the dentist.
While you 'make' an appointment (the action), you usually 'have' an appointment (the state).
Synonyms
Antonyms
02choosing someone for a job
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the act of choosing someone for an official position or job.
n. the act of designating a person for a non-elective office or position of responsibility.
“The president announced the appointment of a new judge today.”
“The board's appointment of a new chief executive was met with approval from the majority of shareholders.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'of' (the person) or 'to' (the position).
Teaching tip
This sense is much more formal than the 'meeting' sense and is common in news and business contexts.
Synonyms
03a professional position
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a job or position that someone has been chosen for.
n. the position or office to which a person has been appointed.
“She held a senior academic appointment at the university for ten years.”
“His latest diplomatic appointment requires him to relocate to the embassy in Brussels for a three-year term.”
Usage
Usually refers to high-level or prestigious roles in government, academia, or medicine.
04fittings or equipment
C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Literary · Formal
n. the furniture or decorations in a room or building.
n. the equipment, furnishings, or decorative fittings of a place, especially when high-quality.
“The hotel was famous for its luxurious appointments and antique furniture.”
“The yacht featured mahogany appointments and custom-made leather seating throughout the main cabin.”
Usage
Almost always used in the plural form 'appointments'.
Teaching tip
This is a rare, high-level sense often found in real estate descriptions or classic literature.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “appointment” in context.
Verb
01. appointment lasts
“The initial appointment usually lasts about thirty minutes.”
noun + verb
02. cancel appointment
“Please let us know if you need to cancel your appointment.”
verb + noun
03. confirm appointment
“The secretary called to confirm my appointment for tomorrow.”
verb + noun
04. keep appointment
“It is important to keep your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee.”
verb + noun
05. make appointment
“You should call the dentist to make an appointment.”
verb + noun
06. schedule appointment
“We can schedule an appointment for you at three o'clock.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. medical appointment
“I need to leave work early for a medical appointment.”
adj + noun
08. previous appointment
“She couldn't attend the lunch because of a previous appointment.”
adj + noun
09. senior appointment
“The company is expected to announce a senior appointment next week.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. letter of appointment
“He received his official letter of appointment this morning.”
noun + prep + noun
11. by appointment only
“The gallery is open to the public by appointment only.”
12. miss an appointment
“I'm sorry I missed our appointment; I got stuck in traffic.”
Etymology
From Middle English appoyntement, apoyntement, from Old French appointement, equivalent to appoint + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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