Meaning & use
by appt
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Only if you have arranged a time in advance; used in notices to show that visits must be booked.
Grammar: Comes after a noun or at the end of a sign, e.g. 'Viewings by appt.' It is not used before a noun.
Patterns
- something by appt
- available by appt
- open by appt
The gallery is open by appt only, so call before you go.
Viewings are by appt, Monday to Friday.
The doctor sees patients by appt on weekends.
abbreviationinformal
A short written form of 'by appointment', used in schedules and business notices.
Grammar: Written on signs, cards or timetables; it is not usually spoken as 'by appt'.
The card said 'Consultations by appt'.
On the door, a small sign read 'By appt only'.
Her email signature included 'Meetings by appt'.
Common combinations
- by appt only
- The office is open by appt only during the summer.
- available by appt
- The specialist is available by appt on Tuesdays.
- viewings by appt
- The flat is empty, but viewings are by appt.
- by appt
- Please note: visits by appt.
- open by appt
- The studio is open by appt for private tours.
Synonyms and how they differ
- by appointment
- The full, standard form; use it in formal writing and speech instead of the abbreviation.
- on request
- Means you can ask for something, but it does not always mean you must book a time first.
Word family
- appointment noun
- A time you have arranged to meet someone or visit a place.
- appoint verb
- To choose someone for a job or arrange a time formally.
Commonly confused: by appt or appt?
by appt vs appt
'Appt' alone is a short form of 'appointment', not of 'by appointment'; 'by appt' includes the word 'by'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'by appt' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'By appt' works as a fixed phrase after a verb or noun to mean visits must be booked, as in 'sees patients by appt only'. Option An is wrong because 'by appt' does not come before a noun like 'a by appt'. Option C is wrong because it is not a verb. Option D is wrong because it does not describe being busy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “by appt”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.