appellation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appellation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a name or title that is given to someone or something, often in a formal context. Example: "The appellation 'The Big Apple' is commonly used to refer to New York City."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Admittedly, Buridan explicitly restricts appellation to appellative terms, that is, "every term connoting something other than what it supposits for" (Summulae de Dialiectica: Treatise on Suppositions, tr. Klima, p. 291), and it "appellates that which it connotes as pertaining to that which it supposits for".

SEP

Brčko District, an appellation lifted straight from US constitutional jargon, was born, overseen by an international supervisor.

The Guardian

Such a nondescript appellation will never win popular approval.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since it is highly unlikely that 20-30% of the A-rated bonds will go bust, the rating agencies will give such securities the highest AAA appellation.

The Economist

Tintas Robbialac, a Portuguese paint-maker, axed its Vermelho Estaline ("Red Stalin") appellation following online protest in 2010.

The Economist

In many official contexts, it is known by the clumsy appellation of Derry-Londonderry because residents cannot agree on what to call it.

The Economist

Mr Kapuscinski tells it as it felt, rather than as it was, describing sometimes, it seems, distastefully relishing whatever is bizarre, humiliating, disgusting, exotic.In his foreword he observes: "In reality, except as a geographical appellation, Africa does not exist".

The Economist

Might geographical indicators, like the appellation contrôlée system in French wine, have been a better option?

The Economist

Starbucks favours a system of regional certification, much like the appellation contrôlée system in French wine, which would allow beans to be branded consistently without creating legal problems.

The Economist

French people began questioning nuclear power (winemakers who fall under the appellation Coteaux du Tricastin are campaigning to change the name) with an intensity they had not previously shown.The industry freely admits there is a chronic shortage of nuclear engineers in the world, which is not reassuring.

The Economist

But for the foreseeable future, America's Department of Defence says, America's biggest worry will be small messy wars, fought with messy alliances with messy outcomes; more Iraqs, Afghanistans and campaigns against the likes of al-Qaeda.The Pentagon now calls this the "Long War against violent extremist movements" (dropping the old appellation of the "Global War on Terrorism").

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appellation" when referring to a formal name or title, especially one associated with a specific origin or quality, such as in the context of wine or geographical regions.

Common error

Avoid using "appellation" when a simpler term like "name" or "title" would suffice. Overusing "appellation" can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "appellation" is as a noun. It serves to identify a name, title, or designation, as seen in examples where it refers to geographical origins of wine or formal titles. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "appellation" functions as a noun designating a formal name or title, frequently used in specialized contexts like wine production or geographical designations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and usable status in written English. While grammatically sound, it's best employed when precision and formality are desired, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts where "name" or "title" would suffice. Its prevalence across news media, encyclopedias, and scientific literature underscores its versatile yet authoritative presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designation

Focuses on the act of officially assigning a name or title.

title

Emphasizes a formal name given to a person, place, or thing.

denomination

Highlights a name or designation, often within a specific category or group.

epithet

Refers to a descriptive name or title, often used to characterize someone or something.

nomenclature

Indicates a system of names or terms, often used in a specific field or discipline.

cognomen

Suggests a surname or family name, often used to distinguish individuals within a group.

sobriquet

Implies an informal or nickname-like name.

handle

Refers to an informal name or designation, often used online or in casual settings.

term

A general word used to describe a thing or idea.

marker

Highlights a sign or designation used to mark or identify something.

FAQs

How to use "appellation" in a sentence?

Use "appellation" when you want to refer to a formal name, title, or designation. For example, "The wine's "appellation contrôlée" guarantees its origin and quality."

What can I say instead of "appellation"?

You can use alternatives like "designation", "title", or "denomination" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "appellation" or "name"?

"Appellation" and "name" are both correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Appellation" is more formal and often refers to a name or title that is officially recognized or associated with a specific quality or origin. "Name" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "appellation" and "nomenclature"?

"Appellation" refers to a specific name or title, while "nomenclature" refers to a system of names or terms used in a particular field or discipline.