verb

appoint

uh-POYNT

verb

To choose someone officially for a job or role.

"The board appointed her as the new chief executive."

"He was appointed to lead the investigation."

To set or fix a time or place for something, such as a meeting.

"They appointed noon on Friday for the hearing."

How to Use Appoint

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo officially pick someone for a role, or to fix a set time for something.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "disappoint" — the two are unrelated in modern meaning despite the shared root letters.

Common pairings

appoint a successor newly appointed appoint a committee

appointed past tense, appoints singular

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The board _____ her as the new chief executive.

From Old French apointier, "to arrange, prepare," from Late Latin appunctare, "to fix a point," from Latin ad- + punctum, "a point."

accredit allot assign choose command decide decree delegate designate direct elect enjoin

decline disallow dismiss fire ignore neglect refuse reject

name abate accept increase accumulate buy give kindle

point joint anoint pinpoint gunpoint viewpoint standpoint disappoint PowerPoint checkpoint needlepoint counterpoint

accredit allot assign choose command decide decree delegate designate direct elect enjoin