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Meaning & use

appointment

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/əˈpɔɪntmənt/
US/əˈpɔɪntmənt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    An arranged time to meet someone or to receive a service.

    Grammar: Countable; use 'an appointment' or 'appointments'.

    Patterns

    • make an appointment
    • have an appointment with someone
    • appointment at a time

    I have a dentist appointment at 3 p.m.

    She made an appointment with the doctor for next week.

    Can we schedule an appointment to discuss the project?

  2. nouncountable or uncountable

    The act of officially assigning someone to a job or position of responsibility.

    Grammar: Often used with 'to': appointment to a post.

    Patterns

    • appointment as something
    • appointment to something
    • announce the appointment of someone

    Her appointment as director was announced yesterday.

    The appointment of a new CEO will be discussed at the meeting.

    His appointment to the committee came as a surprise.

Word forms

pluralappointments

Common combinations

make an appointment
I need to make an appointment with my hairdresser.
keep an appointment
She was unable to keep her appointment because of traffic.
cancel an appointment
He had to cancel his appointment at the last minute.
appointment book
The receptionist checked the appointment book for available slots.
by appointment
The gallery is open to the public by appointment only.

Synonyms and how they differ

meeting
A meeting is a general gathering of people to discuss something, while an appointment is a fixed time to see a particular person or service.
engagement
Engagement is a formal or social commitment to be somewhere, often used for events; appointment is more common for professional or medical visits.
assignment
Assignment refers to a task given to someone, not the act of appointing them to a position; use appointment for the job placement itself.

Word family

appoint verb
To officially choose someone for a job or position.
appointed adjective
Having been chosen for a job or position.
appointee noun
A person who is appointed to a position.

Commonly confused: appointment or disappointment?

appointment vs disappointment

Disappointment is the feeling of sadness because something did not happen as hoped; appointment is a scheduled meeting or a job assignment.

Practice

I need to make an appointment ___ the doctor.

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