appointment

USAGE SUMMARY

"appointment" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a scheduled meeting or engagement that has been arranged in advance. For example, "I have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

The first that other judges knew of his plan to contest the appointment of Boddice – who had been nominated two months earlier under a 20-year protocol – was a public statement the next day that it was "a matter for the chief justice under the electoral act".

The Guardian

At his review appointment some months later, his specialist notes that he has inflamed joints and writes back to me to request a rheumatology opinion.

The Guardian

The subsequent referral is made several weeks later, which adds even more time to the existing wait for his rheumatology outpatient appointment.

The Guardian

Of the decisions Cameron has taken since his re-election, the one that should frighten Labour the most is the appointment of Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, to work on a review of Tory structures.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the help of a pocket payment we secured an appointment in two weeks instead of the usual two months.

The Guardian

US Government websafe team / Missed appointment - This week's 'Setting up a government email' seminar.

The Guardian

I went to the appointment, which was uncomfortable, as he inserted a camera up my vagina.

The Guardian

Illsley recalls: "I remember calls in the dead of night from some pickets saying: 'We've got here but there's nought but broken windows.'" David (now Lord Huntthoughthishis appointment as coal minister was a prank.

The Guardian

In the biggest upset in the men's draw so far, the Frenchman swept to victory on a tide of local sentiment, Tsonga battering his way to a quarter-final appointment with Kei Nishikori, the world No5.

The Guardian - Sport

Richardson's appointment to a seven-year term as vice-chancellor is subject to approval by the university's congregation, after which she will take over from Prof Andrew Hamilton at the end of the year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appointment" when referring to the act of assigning someone to a position or role, especially in a professional or official context.

Common error

Avoid using "appointment" for casual meetups with friends. Reserve it for scheduled, professional, or official engagements. A coffee with a friend is a "meeting" or "get-together", not an "appointment".

Linguistic Context

The word "appointment" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a prearranged engagement or meeting. It can also refer to the act of assigning someone to a position. Ludwig examples confirm its use in both contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appointment" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to describe a prearranged meeting or the assignment of someone to a position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as formal and business settings. When using "appointment", ensure it aligns with scheduled, professional, or official settings, and avoid using it for casual social gatherings. Remember to consider appropriate alternatives like "scheduled meeting" or "engagement" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scheduled meeting

Focuses specifically on the planned nature of the meeting.

arranged consultation

Emphasizes the preparatory steps and the consultative nature of the meeting.

fixed engagement

Highlights the committed and unchangeable aspect of the plan.

designated time

Stresses the particular allocation of time for a specific reason.

official assignation

Implies a formal and recognized arrangement.

prearranged session

Underscores that the session has been agreed upon in advance.

booked slot

Indicates a reserved time, often in a schedule.

agreed rendezvous

Highlights a mutual agreement on the meeting's time and place.

established timetable

Focuses on its position inside a wider pre-existing schedule.

duty assignment

Highlights an important task or task assigned to someone.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "appointment" in a sentence?

Use "appointment" to refer to a prearranged meeting or engagement, such as "I have a doctor's appointment" or "The president announced the appointment of a new cabinet member".

What are some alternative terms to use instead of "appointment"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "scheduled meeting", "consultation", or "engagement".

When should I use "appointment" versus "meeting"?

"Appointment" typically implies a more formal, prearranged meeting, often with a professional or official purpose, whereas "meeting" can refer to any gathering of people, formal or informal.

Is it correct to say "make an appointment" or "schedule an appointment"?

Both "make an appointment" and "schedule an appointment" are correct and commonly used. They both refer to the act of arranging a future meeting or engagement.