An appointment is a planned meeting or the act of being assigned a formal role, emphasizing punctuality and purpose.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A scheduled meeting, often professional or medical.
- Also means being chosen for a job or role.
- Implies formality and a specific time/place.
- Use for doctors, dentists, business meetings, job offers.
**Overview**
The word 'appointment' primarily signifies a pre-arranged meeting or engagement, usually with a professional or someone in a position of authority, occurring at a designated time and location. It carries connotations of formality, necessity, and a structured interaction, distinguishing it from casual meet-ups. Beyond scheduling meetings, 'appointment' also denotes the formal selection or designation of an individual for a role, particularly one requiring responsibility or trust, such as a judicial appointment or a board appointment. This dual meaning highlights its significance in both personal scheduling and formal organizational structures.
**Usage Patterns**
In spoken English, 'appointment' is frequently used in contexts like healthcare ('I have a doctor's appointment'), professional services ('I need to make an appointment with my lawyer'), and personal grooming ('I booked a hair appointment'). It's generally considered a neutral to formal term. In written English, especially in business or formal communication, it appears in scheduling requests, confirmations, and official notices. While the core meaning is consistent across English-speaking regions, the frequency of use for certain types of appointments (e.g., social vs. professional) might vary subtly. For instance, a casual coffee meeting might be referred to as a 'meeting' or 'get-together' rather than an 'appointment' in informal American English, whereas in British English, 'appointment' might occasionally stretch to cover less formal, though still pre-arranged, social meetings.
**Common Contexts**:
- Work/Business: Scheduling meetings with clients, colleagues, or superiors; formal interviews for job appointments; appointments to specific committees or boards.
- Healthcare: Doctor, dentist, therapist, or specialist appointments are extremely common.
- Education: Meetings with professors, academic advisors, or admissions officers.
- Personal Services: Hairdresser, barber, spa, or mechanic appointments.
- Legal/Governmental: Judicial appointments, appointments to public office, or meetings with legal representatives.
- Media/Literature: Often used to signify significant events, character interactions, or official proceedings. For example, a character might have a clandestine 'appointment' or a public figure might announce a new 'appointment' to a cabinet.
**Comparison with Similar Words**:
- Meeting: More general term for people coming together. Can be formal or informal, scheduled or spontaneous. An appointment is a type of meeting, typically more formal and scheduled.
- Date: Primarily used for romantic social engagements or sometimes for scheduling a specific day for an event, but less focused on a specific time and interaction with a professional.
- Engagement: Similar to appointment, often implying a commitment or arrangement, but can also refer to being busy or betrothed.
- Interview: Specifically a formal meeting to assess suitability for a job, course, or role. A job interview is a type of appointment.
- Schedule: Refers to the plan of times for events or activities, rather than the event itself.
**Register & Tone**
'Appointment' is generally used in neutral to formal contexts. Using it for very casual meet-ups (like meeting a friend for coffee) can sound overly formal or even slightly stiff, depending on the relationship and region. It's the standard term for professional, medical, and official arrangements. Avoid using it for spontaneous gatherings or informal social plans.
**Common Collocations Explained**:
- 'Make an appointment': This is the standard phrase for arranging a meeting. 'I need to make an appointment with the dentist.'
- 'Keep an appointment': To attend the meeting as planned. 'He was praised for keeping all his appointments.'
- 'Cancel an appointment': To call off a scheduled meeting. 'Please call us at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel an appointment.'
- 'Miss an appointment': To fail to attend a scheduled meeting. 'She missed her job interview appointment.'
- 'Doctor's appointment / Dentist's appointment': The most common everyday examples. 'My doctor's appointment is at 3 PM.'
- 'Business appointment': A meeting related to work or commerce. 'He has several business appointments scheduled for tomorrow.'
- 'Formal appointment': Refers to the act of assigning someone to a position. 'Her formal appointment to the committee was announced yesterday.'
- 'Fixed appointment': An appointment that is firmly set and unlikely to change. 'We have a fixed appointment with the CEO.'
Examples
I have a dentist appointment at 2 PM this afternoon.
everydayI have a dentist appointment at 2 PM this afternoon.
Please call the office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evans.
businessPlease call the office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evans.
He secured a prestigious appointment as a professor at the university.
formalHe secured a prestigious appointment as a professor at the university.
We need to make an appointment to discuss the project details.
businessWe need to make an appointment to discuss the project details.
She had a final job interview appointment before receiving the offer.
formalShe had a final job interview appointment before receiving the offer.
Don't forget your hair appointment is on Saturday morning.
informalDon't forget your hair appointment is on Saturday morning.
The novel describes the protagonist's clandestine appointment in a dimly lit alley.
literaryThe novel describes the protagonist's clandestine appointment in a dimly lit alley.
Could we set up an appointment to review the contract?
businessCould we set up an appointment to review the contract?
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
make an appointment
Arrange a specific time to meet someone.
keep an appointment
Attend the scheduled meeting.
cancel an appointment
Call off a scheduled meeting.
doctor's appointment
A scheduled visit to a physician.
Often Confused With
A 'meeting' is a general term for people gathering, which can be formal or informal, scheduled or spontaneous. An 'appointment' is a specific *type* of meeting, usually formal, scheduled, and often with a professional.
'Date' primarily refers to a romantic social engagement or sometimes the day an event is scheduled. 'Appointment' is used for professional, medical, or service-related arrangements, not typically romantic ones.
'Engagement' can mean a commitment or arrangement like an appointment, but it also commonly refers to being betrothed (engaged to be married) or simply being busy. 'Appointment' is more specific to a scheduled meeting or job assignment.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'appointment' generally carries a formal or professional tone. While it can be used for personal service bookings like haircuts, using it for very casual social gatherings with friends might sound overly formal or even slightly humorous depending on the context. In British English, 'appointment' might occasionally be used more broadly for social meetings than in American English, but 'meeting' or 'get-together' are safer choices for informal plans.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'appointment' for casual social plans with friends, which sounds unnatural; 'meet up' or 'get together' are better alternatives. Also, confusing the noun 'appointment' with the verb 'appoint' is common; remember 'appoint' is the action word (to assign or schedule). Ensure you use 'make an appointment' or 'schedule an appointment' rather than 'do an appointment'.
Tips
Be Specific When Making One
When you call to make an appointment, clearly state the reason for your visit and your availability. This helps the receptionist book the correct type of appointment and duration.
Don't Confuse with 'Date'
While both involve meeting someone, 'appointment' is typically for professional, medical, or service-related reasons. 'Date' is almost exclusively used for romantic social engagements.
Punctuality is Key
In many English-speaking cultures, punctuality for appointments is highly valued. Arriving late can be seen as disrespectful and may even result in your appointment being rescheduled.
Formal Appointment Contexts
When discussing job roles or official positions, 'appointment' often implies a formal nomination or election process, such as a 'presidential appointment' or 'appointment to the board.'
Word Origin
The word 'appointment' originates from the Latin 'apponere', meaning 'to put on' or 'to add'. It evolved through Old French into Middle English, initially referring to the act of assigning someone to a position. The sense of a scheduled meeting developed later, emphasizing the formal arrangement of time and place.
Cultural Context
In Western cultures, punctuality for appointments is a sign of respect for the other person's time. Missing or being late for appointments, especially medical or business ones, can carry social or financial penalties. The concept of 'appointment' is fundamental to the organization of professional services and daily life, reflecting a cultural emphasis on structure and efficiency.
Memory Tip
Imagine a very important person (like a CEO or a judge) sitting at a desk, formally receiving someone. That official, scheduled arrival for a specific purpose is an 'appointment'. Think 'assigned presence'.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsAn 'appointment' typically refers to a pre-arranged meeting with a specific person at a set time and place, often for professional, medical, or official reasons. A 'meeting' is a broader term that can be formal or informal, scheduled or even spontaneous, and may involve multiple people.
Generally, no. While technically a pre-arranged social meeting could be called an appointment, it sounds quite formal or even stiff in most English-speaking contexts. You'd more likely say 'meet up,' 'get together,' or simply 'meet.'
This means you have been formally selected or officially appointed to a job, role, or position of responsibility. Examples include a judicial appointment or an appointment to a committee.
Cancelling itself isn't rude, but how and when you do it matters. It's considered polite and professional to cancel as far in advance as possible and usually by phone or a direct message, especially for medical or business appointments.
They are largely synonymous and interchangeable in most contexts. 'Make an appointment' is very common, while 'schedule an appointment' might sound slightly more formal or business-oriented.
Not at all. Many places operate on a walk-in basis, especially casual businesses like some cafes or shops. However, for services involving specific professionals (doctors, lawyers, hairdressers) or formal interviews, an appointment is usually required.
Common reasons include unforeseen emergencies, illness, traffic issues, or simply forgetting. However, it's important to notify the other party as soon as possible if you anticipate missing an appointment.
No, 'appointment' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'appoint,' which means to assign someone to a role or fix a time/place for a meeting.
Test Yourself
I need to make an ______ with my accountant before the tax deadline.
'Appointment' is the most suitable word here as it refers to a scheduled meeting with a professional service provider.
The president announced the appointment of a new ambassador.
In this context, 'appointment' refers to the formal process of choosing and assigning someone to a specific position or role.
my / for / have / doctor / I / an / appointment / tomorrow
This sentence correctly uses the structure 'Subject + have + an appointment + for + purpose + time'.
She forgot to call and cancel her hair appointment.
The original sentence is grammatically correct. The word 'appointment' is used appropriately here to refer to a scheduled service.
Score: /4
Summary
An appointment is a planned meeting or the act of being assigned a formal role, emphasizing punctuality and purpose.
- A scheduled meeting, often professional or medical.
- Also means being chosen for a job or role.
- Implies formality and a specific time/place.
- Use for doctors, dentists, business meetings, job offers.
Be Specific When Making One
When you call to make an appointment, clearly state the reason for your visit and your availability. This helps the receptionist book the correct type of appointment and duration.
Don't Confuse with 'Date'
While both involve meeting someone, 'appointment' is typically for professional, medical, or service-related reasons. 'Date' is almost exclusively used for romantic social engagements.
Punctuality is Key
In many English-speaking cultures, punctuality for appointments is highly valued. Arriving late can be seen as disrespectful and may even result in your appointment being rescheduled.
Formal Appointment Contexts
When discussing job roles or official positions, 'appointment' often implies a formal nomination or election process, such as a 'presidential appointment' or 'appointment to the board.'
Examples
6 of 8I have a dentist appointment at 2 PM this afternoon.
I have a dentist appointment at 2 PM this afternoon.
Please call the office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evans.
Please call the office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evans.
He secured a prestigious appointment as a professor at the university.
He secured a prestigious appointment as a professor at the university.
We need to make an appointment to discuss the project details.
We need to make an appointment to discuss the project details.
She had a final job interview appointment before receiving the offer.
She had a final job interview appointment before receiving the offer.
Don't forget your hair appointment is on Saturday morning.
Don't forget your hair appointment is on Saturday morning.
Quick Quiz
The President announced the ________ of the new ambassador to the United Nations yesterday.
Correct!
The correct answer is: appointment
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